A man who fired shots at police officers through the door during a standoff in May will serve forty years in prison, according to Madison and Rankin County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett.

Keithannin Cortez Starks has pleaded guilty in Madison County Circuit Court to two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement officers.

On May 4, two Ridgeland police officers responded to a call for a domestic disturbance at Ridgeland Place Apartments on William Boulevard. Keithannin Starks and his girlfriend were inside the apartment, and officers could hear screaming from inside the apartment but were unable to contact the occupants.

As the officers were trying to get the door open, Starks fired multiple rounds through the door at the officers. Neither officer was hit.

The female victim was able to flee 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. Specialized teams from RPD, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, and Madison Police Department quickly arrived on scene to provide assistance. After almost an hour-long standoff, Starks voluntarily left the apartment and surrendered to RPD Special Response Team members.

“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. We applaud the officers of the RPD who maintained their composure and were able to resolve the situation without anyone losing their life,” said Bramlett. “I hope the fact that Mr. Starks will be spending the next forty 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. Our office takes violence against our law enforcement extremely seriously.”