Mississippi deputies use Taser to subdue man who pulled gun at traffic stop

Published 6:21 am Thursday, October 10, 2024

Mississippi officers used a Taser to subdue a man who pulled out a handgun during a traffic stop.

Adams County deputies arrested Derrick Dewayne Bates after Bates reportedly pulled the gun during a traffic stop near Walgreens on Seargent Prentiss Drive in Natchez Friday evening. Deputies used a taser to subdue the suspect, preventing him from firing the weapon.

The incident occurred around 8:35 p.m. when an Adams County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a black SUV for a traffic violation near Linda Lee Drive. The vehicle failed to stop, and the front passenger door repeatedly opened while the vehicle was still in motion.

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The passenger, later identified as Bates, fled the vehicle and ran into traffic at the intersection of Devereaux Drive, ignoring commands from law enforcement to stop. Bates ran into the Walgreens parking lot, where he fell but quickly got up and pulled a handgun from a bag. Deputies were able to subdue him with a taser before he could fire.

Natchez Police Department officers arrived shortly after and assisted in taking Bates into custody. A search of his bag revealed a clear bag of marijuana, a black weighing scale, and a tan SCCY CPX-1 9mm handgun.

Authorities later discovered that Bates had active warrants for his arrest in Tensas Parish, Louisiana. He was charged with aggravated assault on law enforcement, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten expressed relief that the situation was resolved without injuries to his deputy or bystanders. He also thanked the Natchez Police Department for their assistance in making the arrest.