Gabriel Matthew Wilson: The Man Behind The Mississippi Standoff

Publish date: 2024-07-11

The recent shootout that left one police officer dead and another injured in Brandon, Mississippi, was caused by Gabriel Matthew Wilson, a 22-year-old who had broken into his ex-girlfriend’s home.

With a handgun and rifle in his possession and a bullet-proof vest on his body, he held two females, hostage.

The incident turned into an hours-long standoff that ended with both Wilson and former Ridgeland Police Chief Randy Tyler dead.

Early hours of the hostage situation

Brandon Police Department received phone calls at around 1:20 am on June 1, informing them that a suspect was trying to enter a home on Terrapin Hill Road in the Crossgates neighborhood.

The residence was occupied by two women – one of whom was Wilson’s ex-girlfriend. At the time, Wilson was armed with a handgun and rifle and wore a bulletproof vest.

Upon arriving at the location, police found Wilson barricaded inside the home with the two women.

What followed was a hostage negotiation that went on for several hours.

However, as several agencies, including the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, Pearl Police, Madison Police, and at least one SWAT team, responded, Wilson began firing at the police.

Police and Wilson exchange fire

Gabriel Mathew Wilson shooting led to the injury of one Brandon police officer.

For hours, Wilson remained barricaded inside the home with the woman he was holding hostage.

When they convinced him to release the second woman, the situation seemed to be settling down, but a few hours later, Wilson began a deadly exchange of fire with the police.

Several shots were fired, and Officer Randy Tyler was fatally injured alongside Wilson, ending the standoff at approximately 10 am on June 1, 2023.

The injured officer was taken to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where his condition stabilized.

Police investigate the shooting

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident, and they will gather all available evidence.

Upon completion, their findings will be submitted to the Attorney General’s Office. The Bureau will also look into Wilson’s background.

It is unclear whether Wilson had a previous criminal record or had been held for any prior crimes. The motives behind the incident remain unknown.

Wilson’s family react to the tragic end

The tragic incident has left Wilson’s family devastated and shocked. Speaking to several news sources, his family said that Wilson was a kind-hearted and gentle person.

They could not fathom what had led him to take such violent measures that led to his death and that of a police officer.

Tyler was only months away from retirement and had served as the police chief of the Ridgeland Police Department for 27 years before joining the Madison Police Department.

Governor Tate Reeves posted a tweet honoring Officer Tyler’s sacrifice on his Twitter account.

According to his colleagues, he was an exceptional officer with vast experience in law enforcement.

Community pays respect to Tyler

Following Tyler’s tragic death, several people paid tribute to him on social media.

The Madison Police Department, where Tyler served as part of a special response team, leading recruit training, posted a touching tribute via Facebook, saying that he will be deeply missed by all of his colleagues, family, and friends.

The city of Ridgeland, where Tyler worked for many years, also issued a statement offering condolences to his family.

They added that his service to their community from 1987 to 2015 will not be forgotten. Mississippi’s Attorney General also paid tribute to Tyler, describing him as an exceptional officer.

Gabriel Matthew Wilson actions on June 1 cannot be justified in any way.

His violent actions resulted in the death of a police officer and injured another. The apparent motivation for his actions remains unknown.

It is important for law enforcement agencies to gather as much information as they can to find out what led to his actions and how similar incidents can be prevented in the future.

Officer Tyler’s death is a tragic loss for the law enforcement community, and he will be deeply missed.