Deputy Terrian Bailey was shot while officers dispersed a crowd near Hermanville, and the FBI is offering up to $25,000 for information.
HERMANVILLE, MS — A Claiborne County sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed early Monday while helping disperse a crowd outside a convenience store following a Labor Day weekend festival, authorities said. Investigators were searching for the person responsible for the shooting.
Deputy Terrian Bailey, 45, was struck by gunfire shortly after midnight Sept. 7 in the parking lot of Michael Dean’s Convenience Store along Highway 18 near Hermanville. Bailey was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. A woman in the crowd also was shot and taken to a hospital with injuries authorities described as not life-threatening.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation. Authorities said Claiborne County deputies had been working to disperse a large crowd when shots were fired toward the gathering. Officials had not publicly identified a suspect as of Monday night, and no arrests had been announced.
Claiborne County Sheriff Edward Goods said deputies had responded to the convenience store after people gathered there following a festival in Hermanville. Investigators have released few details about what immediately preceded the gunfire, including whether Bailey was specifically targeted. Authorities also have not released a description of the shooter.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information related to Bailey’s killing. The Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department also appealed for information and video that could help investigators determine what happened. Officials said they were following leads as the search continued.
Bailey had served with the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department for six years, according to local reporting. Goods remembered Bailey as a lifelong member of the community who was devoted to his family and his work. The sheriff described him as “the life of the department” and said he would be deeply missed.
The sheriff’s department said in a statement that Bailey died while serving and protecting others. Law enforcement agencies and state officials across Mississippi also issued statements mourning his death. Gov. Tate Reeves described Bailey as a husband, father and public servant and said the state would remember his service.
Bailey’s death prompted an outpouring of grief from relatives, friends and residents of Claiborne County. Family members who spoke publicly described him as a family-oriented man known for bringing positive energy to those around him. Authorities have not released additional details about funeral arrangements in the information reviewed for this report.
The shooting remains under active investigation. MBI agents are gathering evidence and are expected to provide their findings to the local district attorney’s office and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office when the investigation is complete. No suspect information had been released as of the latest available reports.
Author note: Last updated September 7, 2026.