'This Is a Terrible Tragedy': Miss. Police Recruit Dies at Academy

A Mississippi police recruit committed suicide at the academy Monday, according to reports.

The Hinds County coroner told WAPT-TV that a Jackson police recruit "took his own life by gunfire" at the Jackson Training Academy. The name of the recruit—who also was a former city firefighter—has not been released by the police department, and the city said it wouldn't be releasing his identity because of the circumstances.

“This is a terrible tragedy and our hearts break for this young man, his family and the JPD/JFD communities,” Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said in a statement. “We wish his family love and strength as they deal with this unimaginable loss.”

The police academy suspended training at the Academy on Monday. Grief counselors also were called in, and the police department has asked the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation for assistance.

"Our hearts go out to this man's family and members of his recruiting class during this difficult time," said Chief James Davis.