2 Officers Shot, Killed Off Georgia Southwestern State University Campus

The suspect in the shooting was found dead.

UPDATE: Dec. 8, 8 p.m.: Georgia Southwestern State University Officer Jody Smith died on Thursday, one day after he was shot near campus, along with Americus Police Officer Nicholas Ryan Smarr, who died on Wednesday, reports NBC News.
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UPDATE Dec. 8, 1:05 p.m.: Authorities say the suspect in yesterday’s shooting has been found dead, reports WSB-TV. Police moved in on the suspect, who was barricaded in a house. It was not disclosed how he died.
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A campus police officer and an Americus, Georgia police officer were shot in south Georgia Wednesday morning.

The Americus officer was killed in the shooting while the Georgia Southwestern State University police officer remains in critical condition.

The suspect in the shooting, 32-year-old Minquell Kennedy Lembrick, is on the run and law enforcement agencies are offering a $50,000 reward to anyone who can provide information leading to his arrest, reports wrdw.com.

Americus police officer Nicholas Smarr was responding to a domestic violence call at an apartment complex near campus when he called for backup. GSSU Officer Jody Smith responded to Smarr’s call and the two officers confronted Lembrick around 9:40 a.m.

At some point during that interaction, police say gunfire was exchanged between Lembrick and the officers and both officers were shot.

Smarr, 25, died from his injuries while Smith was LifeFlighted to Navicent Health in Macon for treatment.

Now a manhunt is underway as police tactically sweep the area in search of Lembrick. Police say Lembrick is considered armed and dangerous.

A message on Lembrick’s Facebook page, which has since been taken down, read “other life gone not going to jail.”

Anyone with information on Lembrick’s whereabouts can anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 229-924-4102 and still be eligible for the reward.

The Georgia Southwestern State community was ordered to shelter in place around 11 a.m. Wednesday and the GSW Public Safety Department began doing building by building releases six hours later. GSW officers were also stationed at each residence hall on campus for added security.

Both Officer Smarr and Officer Smith graduated from the police academy together four years ago.

It is common for GSSU officers to assist with city police calls as the GSSU campus is located in downtown Americus.

Campus Safety will provide updates as more information becomes available.

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