Law enforcement confirmed Thursday the man accused of shooting of two Georgia police officers is dead, bringing to a close a manhunt that spanned more than 24 hours.
Officials said 32-year-old Minquell Lembrick shot and killed himself after police surrounded the Americus, Georgia, home where he had holed up Thursday morning. Police received a tip he might be hiding inside the home and had surrounded it.
The suspected gunman was wanted for Wednesday’s double shooting, which killed Americus police Officer Nicholas Smarr and critically injured Southwest Georgia State University Officer Jody Smith. The officers had responded to a call for a domestic dispute at an apartment complex near the university.
Americus Police Chief Mark Scott said authorities heard a single gunshot inside the home and tried unsuccessfully to make contact with the suspect. They eventually sent a robot inside the home and found Mr. Lembrick dead of what they described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
No one else was in the home at the time and Chief Scott said there was no indication anyone was trying to help the suspected gunman hide from police.
Officials said the two officers had been best friends sine high school and Officer Smith had responded to the call with Officer Smarr to provide backup.
Mr. Lembrick, who police described as having a lengthy criminal record, had reportedly posted a video and several messages on his Facebook account indicating that he did not intend to be taken into custody alive.
• Andrea Noble can be reached at anoble@washingtontimes.com.
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