The Vicksburg Police Department (VPD) this week has issued a statement updating the public on the ongoing investigation into a deadly officer-involved shooting in December.

The incident took the life of 17-year-old Amarion Thomas in a neighborhood on Bazinsky Road and the investigation was taken over by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI).

The incident once again became the focal point of public attention last week after VPD officers, including Deputy Chief of Police Troy Kimble, were filmed making an apparent arrest following a traffic stop for reckless driving. Although the name of the officer involved in the December shooting has not been officially released per VPD policy, the man videoing the most recent incident repeatedly accused Kimble of killing people, seemingly referencing the earlier shooting, before being arrested on still-undisclosed charges.

This week, VPD Chief of Police Penny Jones provided an update on the December shooting via a message on social media.

“The Vicksburg Police Department remains committed to transparency and ensuring that all necessary steps are taken in the investigation of the shooting in December 2024 that resulted in the death of a juvenile,” Jones said on Facebook. “Today, I met with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations (MBI) for an update on the case. Their investigation is ongoing as they continue gathering evidence to establish all the facts.”

Jones said the investigation is following protocol handed down by the State of Mississippi.

“In accordance with legislation effective July 1, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is responsible for investigating all officer-involved shootings across the state. As such, MBI is leading this investigation to ensure a thorough and impartial review of the circumstances. We know this case has been of great concern to the community, and we want to reassure everyone that the investigative process remains active. We will continue to fully cooperate with MBI as they conduct their work.”

During Monday’s meeting of the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen, Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. also provided an update of sorts, referencing both the recent video and the December shooting, but was unable to provide much clarity due to the policy restricting him from naming the officer, or officers, involved. Flaggs said an officer would be partially sidelined temporarily, but it was not immediately clear if the action stemmed from the December shooting or Friday’s incident.

“There’s a perception issue out there involving a officer that has not been cleared up for whatever reason,” Flaggs said. “We’re removing him or her from the streets and from the public arrests. Now, having said that, if there’s an emergency – an extreme emergency – just like the chief, then I think the chief and this person ought to be involved. I’m not restricting this person down to every inch.”

Jones said new information would be made public once it is released by MBI.

“We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as the investigation continues, and we will provide updates when new information becomes available,” she said.

The Vicksburg Post has also reached out the MBI officials who said the investigation is ongoing, but could not provide an expected timeline for releasing any findings made.