USM Statement Regarding Incident on Hattiesburg Campus

Fri, 04/05/2024 - 03:51pm

At approximately 12:45 p.m., University Police were alerted by the Simpson County Sheriff’s Office that an individual wanted on felony charges was on The University of Southern Mississippi’s Hattiesburg campus. Officers located an armed individual in the parking garage, not affiliated with the University, who was threatening self-harm. Following negotiations, University officers, along with members of the Hattiesburg Police Department, Forrest County Sheriff’s Office, Lamar County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, successfully resolved the situation without incident.

“I commend the work of all agencies and the cooperation of the University community members in responding to today’s incident,” said Rusty Keyes, Assistant Vice President for Public Safety/Chief of Police at USM. “The safety of our students is our main priority, and the timely management of today’s events demonstrates our conscious efforts to protect the health and well-being of our University community. Chief Hardy Sims and the Hattiesburg Police Department were instrumental in the successful resolution of today’s incident.” 

The individual is now in custody of the University Police Department and will be transported to the Simpson County Sheriff’s Office later today.