Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture Andy Gipson's father was shot and killed by law enforcement Thursday morning.

Harry Gipson, 70, was shot during an incident with a Simpson County sheriff's deputy. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation released a statement saying it was "investigating the circumstances that led to an officer involved shooting" at the request of Simpson County. The release did not identify Gipson or the officer.

Andy Gipson said in a statement: "My father passed away tragically after a years-long struggle with a brain injury and related illness. Please pray for our family and we ask for a period of privacy to grieve."

More:Harry Gipson: Mississippi Ag Commissioner Andy Gipson's father killed. Who was he?

Harry Gipson was a home builder and a minister who served at several churches and as a missionary around the world. He experienced traumatic brain injury from several major accidents, his family said, including a mule wagon wreck, a forklift accident and a motorcycle wreck.

The Simpson County Sheriff's office issued only a brief statement saying it had "an officer involved shooting in the county" and had requested the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations take over.

"Our department will not release the names of the deputies involved," the statement said. "Our agency will refer any questions to the MBI. All findings of the investigation will be submitted to the Simpson County 13th Judicial District Attorney's Office for review.

Simpson County Assistant Coroner Faye Pruitt said she was called to the scene around noon by MBI. She wouldn't provide any other details. She said she was instructed to refer questions to MBI.

MBI said "all investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney’s office throughout the process for consideration and review." The agency "will refrain from further comment regarding this ongoing case in order to protect the integrity of the investigation."

Arlene Bernard, a family friend and longtime member of Gum Springs Baptist Church in Braxton where Harry Gipson preached, said she had known Harry and his son Andy for a long time.

“I can’t get it off my mind knowing him like I did,” Bernard said about Gipson’s death. “He was a fantastic preacher…He was good and just the best person to be around."

Bernard said the last time she heard from Harry Gipson he was doing good, but that he suffered from dementia.

“He could talk to anybody. He was friendly. We just loved him, all of them,” she said of Gipson and his family.

Kathy Wood, also a member of the church, said Gipson was a really good man.

“I’m very sad, shocked,” Wood said of Gipson’s death. “It shocked me.”

Wood said Harry Gipson was a great man and the whole family were godly people. “They would help anybody out,” she said.

Harry Gipson also founded Hilltop Memorial Children's Ranch in Braxton.

According to Hilltop's website, "Brother Harry Gipson conceived the idea for this ranch through much prayer and seeking Gods guidance for a facility that would fulfill a lifelong mission: to honor his fathers request to see a special place set aside to provide a holistic environment that would include counseling, ministering, social, physical, nutrition, and academics for wayward youth."

Gov. Phil Bryant on Thursday tweeted: "Deborah and I offer our deepest sympathy to Andy and his family. I am certain his faith and our prayers will bring him through this tragedy."

Andy Gipson in 2018 was appointed by Bryant to serve as agriculture commissioner — a post for which he is running for re-election — to finish the unexpired term of now U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.

Andy Gipson served in the state House representing parts of Simpson and Rankin counties from 2008 until last year. From 2012 to 2018, he served as chairman of the Judiciary B Commitee.

Funeral services for Harry Gipson are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at Chancellor Funeral home in Florence, with visitation from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

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