SAUCIER, Miss. — A man was shot and killed Wednesday night following a tense four-hour standoff with law enforcement in Saucier, according to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office. The man, identified by family as 40-year-old Jason Simmons, had barricaded himself in a shed after allegedly firing at deputies who were attempting to serve a court-ordered mental evaluation.
Deputies arrived at Simmons’ residence on Turan Road around 6 p.m. in response to the order, which was requested by his family due to ongoing concerns over his mental health and substance abuse. His brother, David Simmons, said the family had grown increasingly alarmed by Jason’s behavior and believed professional help was urgently needed.
As officers approached, Jason Simmons reportedly fired a weapon at them, prompting the deployment of the department’s SWAT team. He then retreated into a shed on the property, where he remained barricaded for several hours. Law enforcement made repeated attempts to negotiate with Simmons, but the standoff escalated. Around 10:30 p.m., Simmons was fatally shot during an exchange of gunfire with deputies.
No deputies were injured during the incident. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) has taken over the case, as is standard for any officer-involved shooting. Officials say Simmons “displayed a firearm” and posed an immediate threat to officers at the time of the shooting. Investigators are now working to collect evidence and interview witnesses.
David Simmons expressed deep sorrow over the outcome, saying his brother had been a kind person when sober but had struggled for years with addiction and mental illness. “He was a good guy, but he wasn’t himself anymore,” he said. “We just wanted to get him help. I wish it didn’t have to end this way.” He also questioned whether more time could have allowed his brother to surrender peacefully.
As the investigation continues, the MBI has stated that its findings will be presented to the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office for review. The incident has renewed calls for better mental health resources and crisis response training in law enforcement. The Simmons family and the local community are left mourning a life lost during a tragic attempt to seek help.
