Keith Charles Sandidge, 54, of Columbia has received 13 total charges for allegedly killing his sister, Sherralann Longmire and firing at police officers Friday night before being captured after a 12-hour standoff at 414 Mary St. in the early morning hours of Saturday.
The Columbia Police Department issued a press release Monday afternoon, which stated “On May 20, 2022, Columbia Police Officers responded to a domestic dispute between Keith Charles Sandidge and his sister, Sherralann Longmire. As officers arrived on scene, they heard a long series of gunfire coming from the residence. The officers put out the call of "shots fired," and requested additional officers. Fellow Columbia Police Officers along with the Marion County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene. As law enforcement surrounded the residence, Mr. Sandidge opened fire upon officers, striking two patrol vehicles, two civilian vehicles, and a residential home. Throughout the night, Mr. Sandidge continued to fire multiple shots towards officers. Several outside agencies were dispatched to assist, including the Mississippi Highway Patrol SWAT Team, the U.S. Marshals, Pearl River County Sheriff SWAT Team, Lamar County SWAT Team, MBI, MBN, and other state and local partners. Mr. Sandidge was located hiding under his home and taken into custody the following morning. It was discovered that Mr. Sandidge had allegedly shot and killed Mrs. Longmire on the property prior to his capture. Mississippi Bureau of Investigation will lead the murder investigation.”
Sandidge has been charged with aggravated assault with use of a deadly weapon, seven counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, four counts of shooting at a motor vehicle (two counts for civilian vehicles and two counts for CPD vehicles), shooting into a dwelling and aggravated assault.
He is being held without bond and will appear before Justice Court Judge Brandon Rowell at 1 p.m. Tuesday. He was originally scheduled to make his initial appearance Monday, but he requested to go to the hospital, according to Columbia Police Chief Michael Kelly.
Kelly said on scene Friday night that officers have been trying to get Sandidge help for two years and tried to connect him with Veterans Affairs.
The press release further stated “Chief Kelly and the Columbia Police Department wish to offer our condolences to the Longmire family for their loss. We would also like to offer our appreciation to the citizens of Columbia for their patience during the incident as we felt it necessary, under these circumstances, to restrict travel near the crime scene. We also send our appreciation to the law enforcement agencies that rushed to assist, including Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Marion County Constables, Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department, Lamar County Sheriff’s Department, MS Highway Patrol, and other state and local partners. A special thank you to the Columbia Fire Department and Marion County Volunteer Fire Departments for assisting with traffic control near the crime scene.”
