MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee authorities say the man killed in a police chase and shooting in Mississippi was wanted in a homicide investigation in the city of Martin, Tennessee.
Eric Higgs was killed Sunday after a high-speed chase, wreck and police-involved shooting on Interstate 55 in Tate County.
The Martin Police Department issued a release detailing the death investigation of Barbara Higgs. The woman was discovered dead inside her Brooks Drive home on October 25. Her husband, Eric Higgs, was nowhere to be found.
An alert was issued for Eric Higgs describing him as a person of interest in the case.
Several days later, the police department reportedly received word Higgs was possibly located in Mississippi following a police chase and shootout in Desoto County.
DeSoto County District Attorney John Champion said Monday that Higgs was originally pulled over by a Hernando officer when he took off Sunday.
Speeds during the pursuit got up to 125 mph, and officers knew they were pursuing a suspect wanted in a homicide investigation, Champion said.
South of the Senatobia exit, Higgs crossed over from the southbound to northbound lanes, went approximately 1/8 to 1/2 of a mile and hit an 18-wheeler on the other side of the interstate.
After he careened back into the median, police attempted to get Higgs to show his hands, Champion said. There was “movement in the vehicle” that caused officers to fire on the driver, killing him.
Officers then confirmed Higgs’ identity and that he was wanted in his wife’s murder in Martin.
He had been on the run for five days and was in Texas at one point, Champion said.
“I want to praise these officers because this was an absolutely incredibly dangerous scenario that they were facing,” he said.
One officer suffered a minor injury in the incident.
The investigation is ongoing.
