The father of Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gipson has died. Commissioner Gipson, a Republican from Braxton, confirmed the news in a public post on his private Facebook profile. Gipson says, "I’m very sad to tell you my father passed away tragically this morning after a years-long struggle with a brain injury and related illness. Please pray for our family, and we ask for a period of privacy to grieve. Our faith in God remains strong, and He will get us through this. He touched so many lives, will post the arrangements when finalized."
The Clarion Ledger reports the Rev. Harry Gipson, 70, was killed during an altercation with the Simpson County Sheriff's Office. A statement from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety says, "At the request of the Simpson County Sheriff’s Department, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating the circumstances that led to an officer involved shooting that occurred Thursday morning in Simpson County. All investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney’s office throughout the process for consideration and review. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation will refrain from further comment regarding this ongoing case in order to protect the integrity of the investigation. As is our policy, MBI does not identify officers involved in these types of incidents, and instead refers questions of that nature to the respective agency." The statement does not confirm the identity of Harry Gipson.
Condolences for Gipson are already coming in through social media. Governor Phil Bryant appointed Gipson to his post in 2018. In a tweet, Bryant offers prayers for the Gipson family, saying, "I am certain his faith and our prayers will bring him through this tragedy."
This post will be updated as more details become available.
