JACKSON, Miss (WLBT) – Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones said an officer is believed to have killed one of the alleged shooters at the Mississippi Muddy Festival on Saturday night.
“We believe that the victim who died was actively involved in the incident reported in connection with the shooting,” he said. “I will not disclose the name or agency to which the employee is affiliated. This is something that will come out … at a later date. “
Dozens of law enforcement officials from a number of agencies responded to the Mississippi Fair late Saturday night after gunmen opened fire on an event near the Mississippi Mall around 10 p.m.
At least six people were shot dead, including the dead.
Update: six confirmed photos, including the unidentified deceased man at the scene. Other victims appear to be stable at the moment and do not appear to be directly involved in the shooting or the circumstances that led to the shooting. The investigation continues.
– TyreeJonesSheriff (@TyreeSheriff) May 1, 2022
Four people were transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for treatment. Jones tweeted early Sunday morning that all the victims “appear to be stable at this time and do not appear to be directly involved in the shooting or the circumstances that led to the shooting.”
“We are still checking other hospitals to see if other people have been shot and transported by private vehicle to other hospitals,” he said.
Jones spoke to the press around midnight in front of the Oyo Hotel. He was unsure what led to the shooting and said more details were likely to come out during the investigation.
“There was an exchange of gunfire between at least two to three people in and around a vehicle at the site. “During the exchange, at least one of these people fired many bullets, many shots in the middle of the event,” he said. “We do not believe that anyone else was injured in the middle of the road during this shooting.
The attractions were closed shortly after the shooting and visitors were forced to leave. The entry and exit points leading to the fair were eventually closed to the public.
“The police were there. “They reacted and at some point managed to detain at least two people along with at least one vehicle at the moment, which we believe are also involved in the incident,” Jones said.
Two rifles, a pistol and “a large number of cartridges of various calibers” were also found.
In the course of the investigation, the sheriff said that it was established that a law enforcement officer also opened fire, shot and killed one of the potential shooters.
Jones said the detainees were minors. “It’s very devastating and tragic,” he said. “This is what should be considered a family-oriented event, for families from different walks of life to come together to enjoy entertainment and enjoy food … You have the reckless behavior of people without you pay attention to the life and safety of those present at the event and I think it is a very (cowardly) and selfish act. “
The sheriff was unsure whether the event would continue on Sunday, telling the media that it would depend on the event’s organizers and the Mississippi Fairgrounds Commission.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has been called in to help with the case.
Jones called on anyone with additional information to contact local law enforcement.
“We will find out exactly what happened,” he said. “We will find out who is involved and they must be held accountable for this very reckless incident that happened here tonight.”
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