Statement from Mayor Jake Windham Regarding Thursday’s Police Pursuit
“I am saddened and sickened at the death of the post office employee as a result of the actions by Brandon Andrews. This is senseless. Our officers do not like to pursue, but it is their job. It’s important to understand that the people that run are not simply everyday folks looking to avoid a ticket. An overwhelming majority of them are criminals looking to avoid arrest for far more serious offenses than speeding.
An important question we need to ask is why criminals feel Jackson is a safe haven or a sanctuary city. It appears their mentality is “If they can only get to the city limits and hide in the neighborhoods they can get away.”
While the case against Brandon Andrews remains under investigation, here are some potential reasons for why he didn’t stop.
• Andrews is currently out on felony bond from Flowood Police Department for possession with intent to sell narcotics while in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm.
• Andrews is a suspect in a capital murder case (kidnapping and murder) in Jackson being handled by the Hinds County DA.
• Was charged in 2021 for armed robbery and shooting into a vehicle in Hinds County.
• Was arrested in Pearl for DUI and speeding in 2021.
• In Thursday’s pursuit, Pearl officers found a 30 round extended magazine in his car that he tried to hide behind an abandoned house after hitting the mail truck.
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba released a statement Thursday night saying:
“There are often tragic outcomes like this one for minor traffic stops, and we have experienced it before.”
Not once did Mayor Lumumba condemn Brandon Andrews for running from the police for breaking the law or causing the death of the postal employee. That is unacceptable. His only blame was on the Pearl Police.
Ninety-nine percent of people pull over for “minor traffic stops”, the ones that run have sinister reasons for not stopping.
Our focus MUST BE on condemning the actions of people like Brandon Andrews and NOT the police officers
THEY put innocent people at risk.
The criminals feel like Jackson is a safe space.
It would be irresponsible on our part to just turn people loose once they hit the city limits.
It’s not fair to our citizens who would have repeat offenders come back knowing all they have to do is make it to Jackson to escape.
It is not fair to the citizens of Jackson letting offenders get away from us to terrorize their city.”
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