Four individuals were killed and twelve others injured, with four in critical condition, following a mass shooting in Leland, Mississippi. The incident occurred around midnight on the main street of the small town, approximately 120 miles northeast of Jackson, the state capital, as reported by Mayor John Lee.
According to the mayor, four of the injured were airlifted to a hospital for treatment. As of now, no suspects have been apprehended, and a police manhunt is currently underway. The timing of the shooting coincided with a local high school homecoming event, which typically draws increased community attendance. This annual tradition, usually celebrated in the autumn, aims to welcome back former students.
Mayor Lee clarified that the shooting did not take place on the Leland High School campus and noted the town’s long history of safety during such events. He remarked on the community’s close-knit nature, with a population of approximately 3,700 residents, and expressed that this tragedy was unprecedented for the town.
On the same night, a separate shooting incident was reported in Heidelberg, another small town in Mississippi, roughly 200 miles southeast of Leland. This shooting also occurred during that town’s homecoming weekend and resulted in two fatalities, as stated by Heidelberg Police Chief Cornell White. There is currently no evidence to suggest that the shootings in Leland and Heidelberg are connected.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gvgr7w2yko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss