vigil service for Mississippi officers
Mary Ellen Deen (right), mother of Officer Benjamin Deen, is consoled during a vigil service for Deen and Officer Liquori Tate who were killed during a traffic stop, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, May 11, 2015. Reuters/Lee Celano

The gun used in the fatal shootings of two Mississippi police officers, Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate, has been found, authorities said Friday. The two Hattiesburg officers were shot last Saturday during a routine traffic stop, following which they were taken to a local hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) spokesman Warren Strain said that the weapon suspected to be used in the killings was spotted by a road maintenance crew cutting grass near a street, according to the Associated Press (AP). Preliminary test of the weapon revealed that the .40-caliber pistol was used to kill Deen, 34, and Tate, 25. Marvin Banks, 29, was accused of shooting the officers and charged with two counts of capital murder earlier this week.

Authorities reportedly said that two more people -- Douglas D. McPhail, 21, and Anquanette L. Alexander, 19, -- were arrested in the case and charged with obstruction of justice on Friday. The total number of suspects in the case now stands at seven.

On Wednesday, Abram W. Franklin, 29, of Hattiesburg, was arrested on the same charge and is being held in Forrest County Jail awaiting his court appearance. A bail bond of $75,000 is set for him, according to the AP.

Earlier this week, Banks’ brother, 26-year-old Curtis, and Joanie Calloway, 22, were charged with accessory after the fact of capital murder. Cornelius Clark, 28, was also arrested and charged with obstruction of justice.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers reportedly attended Deen's funeral on Thursday in Hattiesburg, while services for Tate are scheduled for Saturday at the city's West Point Baptist Church.

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