Official: Warrant for man shot by marshals related to shooting in Hernando

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — New details are shedding light on the charges out of Mississippi faced by a man who was shot and killed Wednesday night in Frayser by marshals with warrants for his arrest. DeSoto County District Attorney General John Champion confirmed the charges against Brandon Webber were related to a June 3 incident in which a Hernando man was shot five times and his car stolen by a man. The suspect had met the victim on Facebook and was test-driving the vehicle after saying he wanted to buy it. The victim ran to a nearby house for help, and is currently recovering from his injuries. The suspect — identified by Champion as Webber — got away in the victim’s red Infiniti. Champion said Webber was driving that stolen Infiniti when he was confronted by marshals. “He just basically, cold-bloodedly shot him five times,” Champion said, referring to Webber. “Obviously he had no appreciation for the value of human life.” He said Webber had set up a bogus Facebook account and used a bogus phone number to set up the car sale deal on Facebook. Champion said the U.S. Marshals were called to pick up Webber in Memphis because Hernando authorities don’t have jurisdiction there. Another suspect who allegedly drove Webber down to Hernando to that car sale in another vehicle is still wanted, Champion said. Shelby County records show Webber had previously faced several misdemeanor charges related to drug possession, a weapons charge and traffic violations, and one felony charge of tampering with evidence. Those charges had all been dropped or dismissed, according to court records. Webber, 20, was shot after the U.S. Marshal’s Office said through a statement that Webber “posed a threat.” That’s why they say they fired their weapons, but they will also conduct an internal review of the incident. While officers attempted to stop Webber, he reportedly rammed his vehicle into the officer’s cruisers multiple times before jumping out with a weapon.  The officers opened fire, striking and killing the man. About 35 local law enforcement officers who were helping to control the scene following the shooting were injured in a violent confrontation with the crowd. Memphis Police were not involved in the shooting. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is leading an investigation of the incident. TBI looks into every incident involving a police shooting. — Peter Fleischer contributed