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Double murder suspect from EBR shot dead by police in Mississippi; baby dies after pursuit

2 years 10 months 3 weeks ago Tuesday, May 04 2021 May 4, 2021 May 04, 2021 9:25 AM May 04, 2021 in Crime
Source: WBRZ

UPDATE: Officials released the result of La'Mello Parker's autopsy Wednesday. Read the story here.

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BILOXI, Miss. – A 4-month-old died Tuesday after the child’s father was involved in a gunfight with police following a police chase through two states Monday.

Authorities revealed Tuesday, the child died at the hospital.  The baby boy was identified as La'Mello Parker.

The child was hospitalized following the police chase and was transferred to Mobile, Alabama’s, University Hospital from Biloxi.

"Despite the efforts of medical staff, the child passed away as a result of the injuries sustained," Biloxi police said.

The child’s father was killed as a police chase down I-10 ended in Biloxi.  Earlier in the day, the father, identified as Eric Smith, 30, shot and killed his ex-girlfriend and the woman’s nephew at a home in Baker.  Smith fled the scene with the 4-month-old child.

State Police said they were aware of Smith’s movements as he drove out of Louisiana and into Mississippi, pursued by law enforcement for some of the way – most of the entire 40-mile stretch he drove into Mississippi.  State Police said an AMBER Alert was not issued because the child’s location was known to authorities.

During the pursuit in Mississippi, Smith was involved in a shooting with law enforcement and used the child as a shield.  Smith was shot and died at the scene in Harrison County, Mississippi.

Police said Tuesday it's unclear whether the child was struck by a bullet or shrapnel. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

The chaotic and violent day started just before lunchtime when sheriff’s deputies in East Baton Rouge Parish responded to Richmond Street in Baker after a call made to 911 disconnected.  Responding deputies found two people shot to death.

Christin Parker, 32, and Brandon Parker, 26, were murdered.  Parker is Smith’s ex-girlfriend, authorities said.

In Baker, an eyewitness described a gruesome scene.

The victim's daughter ran to a neighbor for help, exclaiming, "she heard two gunshots and they shot her mom," an eyewitness said.

"I came over there and I went in the room and tried to pick [Parker] up to see if I could help... but she was lifeless and there was ... too much blood coming out of her head," the eyewitness told WBRZ. 

Later, when Smith was spotted on the highway, numerous law enforcement started a two-state pursuit, crossing from Louisiana into Mississippi.

Click here to watch video of the chase along I-10

Click here to see video of police deploying spike strips during the chase

After hitting spike strips, the vehicle Smith was driving eventually rolled into a grass median on I-10 East at mile marker 40 in Biloxi. His car became stuck and as Smith exited his vehicle, he was shot dead by police. 

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