At least six people were killed and several others injured in separate shootings following high school homecoming celebrations in Mississippi, according to officials.
FBI Director Kash Patel said one shooting occurred at a nightclub in Leland, Mississippi Friday night, adding that the FBI is involved in the investigation. “We are mobilizing assets to assist local authorities in the case,” Patel wrote on X Saturday afternoon. “Please pray for the victims and their families. We will update as able.”
Mississippi state Sen. Derrick Simmons stated that at least 20 people were shot with four taken to an area hospital in critical condition. “People were just congregating and having a good time in the downtown of Leland,” Simmons said, adding he was told the scene was “very chaotic.”
“It’s just senseless gun violence,” he said. “What we are experiencing now is just a proliferation of guns just being in circulation.”
WAPT said shots rang out during a gathering following the Leland High School homecoming game. No arrests were announced, and Simmons said late Saturday morning he had not heard information about possible suspects.
“They are on the ground working and I have all the faith in the world that they will get to the bottom of this,” Simmons said of authorities. “As the state senator for the area, we are asking any and all individuals who might have any information regarding the horrific shooting last night to come forward and provide whatever information they have.”
Leland Mayor John Lee stated that he didn’t have information about the shooter, who was still at large as of Saturday. “I just want to say, you know, our prayers and condolences go out to the family of the deceased and the ones [who have] been injured and shot,” Lee said.
In a social media post, Lee said he is “deeply sad about the tragedy” and noted that a scheduled block party was cancelled as a safety precaution.
Police said a separate deadly shooting occurred at a high school in Heidelberg, Mississippi around the same time as the Leland shooting. That shooting killed two people and left one person hurt, according to authorities.
The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office said 18-year-old Tylar Jarod Goodloe was taken into custody for questioning in connection to the shooting.
The Sharkey County Sheriff’s Department said it arrested and charged two people in connection with another shooting that occurred outside a high school football game Friday night. WLBT said shots were fired at South Delta High School in Rolling Fork.
The sheriff’s department didn’t specify if anyone was killed, however, it said “our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask the community to come together in support and remain positive as the investigation continues.”
“Sheriff Ceaser want[s] to make it absolutely clear that acts of violence in our community will not be tolerated. Our team of law enforcement officers are committed to pursuing justice swiftly and ensuring the safety of all residents and visitors that come to our county,” the department noted on Facebook.
“We also send our prayers and support to our fellow law enforcement agencies in Washington County and to all that were affected by the senseless violent shooting that occured in Leland,” according to the post.
