The person responsible for an incident that caused a parking garage at the University of Southern Mississippi to be shut down on Friday has been identified as a man previously wanted on felony charges.
DaMarcus Tyrese Burkett, 25, is behind bars after allegedly threatening self-harm while in the parking garage. Around 12:45 p.m., university officials were notified by the Simpson County Sheriff’s Office, who had been tipped by the subject’s family that he had posted messages on social media threatening self-harm, that Burkett was on the Hattiesburg campus.
Fewer than 30 minutes later, university staff and students were told to avoid the parking garage. Officers spotted Burkett armed in a vehicle, but negotiation efforts from multiple law enforcement agencies allowed the situation to be successfully resolved without incident.
“I commend the work of all agencies and the cooperation of the University community members in responding to today’s incident,” Assistant Vice President for Public Safety/Chief of Police at USM Rusty Keyes said on Friday. “The safety of our students is our main priority, and the timely management of today’s events demonstrates our conscious efforts to protect the health and well-being of our University community. Chief Hardy Sims and the Hattiesburg Police Department were instrumental in the successful resolution of today’s incident.”
The parking garage has since been cleared for use.
Burkett was transported back to Simpson County after being arrested at USM. He had initially been locked up on Thursday, February 8 on enticement of a child and child pornography charges. He was given a $150,000 bond at the time but was scheduled to appear before a judge this past Friday.
A judge will determine whether or not he will remain free on bond, according to police. The motive behind him going to the university’s campus has not been established at this time.
