Three people were killed and eight others were injured in central Mississippi early Saturday when at least two people opened fire on a crowd of several hundred people celebrating a school’s homecoming football victory at an outdoor trail several hours after the game had ended, according to authorities.
The gunfire was preceded by a dispute among some of the males at the party, but deputies were yet to determine what triggered the altercation, according to Holmes County Sheriff Willie March.
According to the sheriff, between 200 and 300 individuals were partying on the trail when they were forced to run due to shooting.
“It was chaos, to be honest,” March added. “People started running as soon as the firing began.
“The shootings, which occurred about five miles outside of Lexington, Mississippi, came after a football game at Holmes County Consolidated School’s homecoming celebration many hours earlier. Following the triumph, scores of young people flocked to the path to celebrate. Lexington is located around 60 miles north of Jackson.
Two of the fatalities were 19, while the third was 25. The injured individuals were evacuated to nearby hospitals.
Deputies were gathering ammo on the scene to establish how many weapons were fired, March said.
Shootings by young men have become a “off and on” issue in the county, which has a population of nearly 16,000 people. The young males who speak with the sheriff explain that it’s usually because they have a “beef,” or disagreement with someone.
“It’s impossible to tell what they’re arguing about. “I don’t believe they are fighting over turf or drugs,” March stated. “There are young men walking around with firearms. “I wish I had an answer.