Search fatalities

Russell L. Kelly Jr.

Age : 47

Gender : Male

Race : Black

Date : 08/09/2026

Location : Church Street Parkway

City : Byhalia

County : Marshall

State : Mississippi

Agency : Byhalia Police Department; DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department; Marshall County Sheriff’s Department

Officer(s) :Not disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during SWAT standoff

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 08/08/2026, at approximately 10:06 p.m., Byhalia Police Department officers responded to a residence in the Church Street Parkway area after receiving a report that a woman had been shot and an armed man was inside the home. Officers helped two adults and a child escape from the residence. Survivors told police that Russell L. Kelly Jr., 47, of Memphis, had shot and killed a woman inside the home.

 

.

Police alleged that Kelly fired at responding officers with a semiautomatic rifle. Byhalia police requested assistance from the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department SWAT team. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department also provided SWAT assistance. Police said Kelly continued firing at law enforcement after the additional officers arrived.

 

.

Negotiators repeatedly attempted to persuade Kelly to surrender during a standoff lasting nearly 10 hours. According to police, Kelly refused to surrender and continued firing at officers. Police alleged that near the end of the standoff Kelly again fired at officers, after which an officer fired and struck Kelly. Kelly died at the scene.

 

.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is investigating the fatal police shooting. After completing its investigation, MBI will submit its findings to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office for review.

 

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wlbt.com/2026/08/09/mbi-investigating-after-suspect-shot-killed-by-police-during-byhalia-standoff/
https://www.wapt.com/article/officer-involved-shooting-in-desoto-county/73385393
https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/08/09/mbi-investigating-after-person-shot-killed-by-police-during-byhalia-standoff/
https://darkhorsepressnow.com/news/2026-08-09/woman-fatally-shot-after-shooting-at-police-in-byhalia/