Commissioner Bratton Offers Condolences After 2 Officers Killed In Mississippi

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The shooting death of two Mississippi police officers has been felt across the country, including in New York City.

The shooting came just a week after NYPD Detective Brian Moore was fatally shot in Queens.

Police Commissioner Bill Bratton offered his condolences to the officers' families via Twitter on Sunday, TV 10/55's Cindy Hsu reported.

"Our prayers are with everyone at Hattiesburg Police Dept. & the families of Police Officers Deen & Tate. We will never forget." Bratton wrote.

Curtis Banks, 26, told a reporter he was not involved in the killings of the two officers in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

"God knows, I ain't do nothing," he said.

Officers Benjamin Deen, 34, and Liquori Tate, 25, were shot and killed during a traffic stop Saturday night.

Police said Deen pulled over a Cadillac Escalade for speeding and then called for backup.

"We heard gunshots. There were like six loud gun shots, but nothing returned. The next thing I know, we see about six or seven police cars coming," said one witness.

The officers died at a hospital, Hsu reported.

"They worked feverishly to try and save both. It just wasn't so. Too much blood was lost and too much damage done internally," said Mayor Johnny DuPree.

Police said it remains unclear who shot the officers.

Joanie Calloway, 22, and Banks' brother Marvin, 29, were both charged with capital murder. He also faces additional charges for allegedly stealing a patrol car.

Curtis Banks was charged with accessory after the fact of capital murder.

Police arrested a fourth suspect, 28-year-old Cornelius Clark Sunday afternoon. He's charged with obstruction of justice.

The suspects are expected to make their first court appearance on Monday.

In:
• Mississippi