Man in shootout with police receives 40 years

A Canton man who exchanged gunfire with police in early May at a Ridgeland apartment complex received 40 years in prison following a guilty plea.

The man, Keithannis Cortez Starks, 29, pleaded guilty in Madison County Circuit Court to two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement officers and was sentenced to serve a total of 40 years, District Attorney Bubba Bramlett, Jr. announced Tuesday.

“I hope the fact that Mr. Starks will be spending the next 40 years in custody will be a message to anyone else out there who thinks that they can fire on police in Madison or Rankin counties,” Bramlett said. “Our office takes violence against our law enforcement extremely seriously.”

On May 4, two officers with the Ridgeland Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance call at Ridgeland Place Apartments on William Boulevard, Bramlett said. Starks and his girlfriend were inside the apartment when law enforcement arrived and officers could hear screaming from inside. 

Bramlett said the officers were unable to contact the occupants. As officers were attempting to get the door open, Starks fired multiple rounds through the door at the officers. Neither officer was hit, Bramlett said.

“We applaud the officers of the RPD who maintained their composure and were able to resolve the situation without anyone losing their life,” Bramlett said.

The female victim was able to exit the apartment as Starks fired more shots at officers through a second-floor window of the apartment building. Officers returned fire and requested backup from

surrounding agencies, Bramlett said. 

Specialized teams from RPD, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, and Madison Police quickly arrived on scene to provide assistance. 

“This is a terrifying example of what our law enforcement officers can face each time they get called out. We are so thankful that no officers were hurt during the shooting or standoff,“ Bramlett said.

After an almost hour-long standoff, Starks voluntarily left the apartment and surrendered to RPD Special Response Team members, Bramlett said.