Guilty plea for attempted aggravated assault on a police officer
Tyerese Lockett sentenced to 10-year prison term
DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton announced Monday, Jan. 22, that Tyrese Lockett, age 24 of Horn Lake, pleaded guilty in DeSoto County Circuit Court to attempted aggravated assault on an officer stemming from a routine traffic stop at the Horn Lake Post Office.
A news release from the District Attorney’s office said Lockett was sentenced to a 10-year prison term.
(DeSoto County Jail photo)
On Aug. 17, 2022, deputies with the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department made a routine traffic stop on Goodman Road in Horn Lake. After questioning the occupants of the vehicle and removing the driver, Lockett reached around and eventually opened the glove box which contained a semiautomatic handgun.
Upon noticing the gun, the deputy began giving loud verbal commands for Lockett to show his hands, which he ignored. Lockett then grabbed the firearm.
The deputy continued giving loud verbal commands to drop the firearm and show his hands. Tyrese kept his hands concealed and abruptly opened the passenger door, pivoting in the direction of another deputy. A news release from the District Attorney’s office said the assisting deputy was forced to discharge his service weapon to ensure the safety of his partner and others.
After shooting Lockett, deputies rendered lifesaving aid to Lockett and cleared the area.
“Tyrese is the latest example of ‘mess around and find out,’” said Barton. “Let today’s sentence be a message to other violent criminals: law and order, and those who enforce it, will be respected in DeSoto County.”
Barton also thanked the deputies involved and the prosecutors and investigators who worked the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ben Weathers with investigative assistance from the District Attorney’s Office and DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department.
