MOUNT OLIVE, Mississippi — Authorities have issued a Blue Alert as a multi-agency manhunt continues for two 19-year-old suspects accused of shooting a Covington County Sheriff’s Office deputy during a traffic stop on Monday afternoon. The incident has triggered a large-scale law enforcement response and left the local community on edge as officials warn that both suspects are believed to be armed and dangerous.
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation confirmed that the second suspect has now been identified as Zykerian Quentavius Magee, joining earlier named suspect Cortavion Dewayne Hobbs. Both men are wanted in connection with the shooting that occurred at approximately 3:38 p.m. on June 8 in Mount Olive. Authorities say Magee’s identity was confirmed as investigators continued piecing together evidence from the scene and witness accounts.
Officials describe Hobbs as a 19-year-old Black male, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing around 140 pounds. He was last seen wearing a camouflage hoodie. Magee is described as a 19-year-old Black male, approximately 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 185 pounds, last seen wearing a black hoodie. Authorities believe the suspects may be in or near the 200 block of South Bluff Street, though their exact location remains unknown.
According to investigators, the deputy was conducting a traffic stop when the shooting occurred. The injured deputy was transported to Forrest General Hospital for emergency treatment and underwent surgery. Officials have not released an updated condition, and the deputy’s recovery remains a priority for law enforcement and the community. The sudden violence has prompted concern among residents and a strong show of support for the injured officer and his family.
The shooting sparked an immediate and widespread response from local, county, and state agencies. Law enforcement teams, including specialized units, have been deployed to search wooded areas and follow investigative leads across the region. Officers have been working continuously since the incident, coordinating efforts to locate the suspects and ensure public safety.
Authorities are urging residents to remain alert and avoid approaching either suspect under any circumstances. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 immediately or contact the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation at 855-642-5378. As the search continues, officials say the investigation remains active, with additional updates expected as new information becomes available.
