Jones County Deputies participate in active shooter scenario

JONES COUNTY, Miss. - The Jones County Sheriff’s Department had its quarterly mock SWAT scenario Thursday at North Jones Elementary School.

This was a chance for both the SWAT and negotiation teams to test their skills in an active shooter scenario.

“You’ve got to have things in place and plans in place for situations like this. Because it’s not if it happens anymore, it’s when it happens,” said Major Jamie Tedford.

The scenario was that a deputy was called to the school for a disturbance. The deputy wounded a suspect and was then captured by multiple suspects in a classroom. The suspects also had a kid and a woman held hostage. The SWAT and negotiation teams worked together to save the hostages. The suspects were apprehended, one died on scene.

“It makes them think. And the more they think, the more they’re aware of everything going on. It doesn’t matter what environment we’re in. They can adapt to that environment, adapt to the situation. And that’s why I try to plan these as hard as I can. That way when something goes good, they’re prepared for the worst,” said Sgt. Scott Sims.

Major Tedford said the SWAT team also trains twice a month at the range for live shooting practice.