Lexington, Mississippi — Three people were killed and eight others injured early Saturday when at least two individuals opened fire into a crowd celebrating a school’s homecoming football victory, according to local authorities. The mass shooting occurred at an outdoor trail, located five miles (8 kilometers) outside of Lexington, Mississippi, following the game.
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Holmes County Sheriff Willie March confirmed that the gunfire followed an altercation between several men at the gathering, though the cause of the fight remains unclear.
“It was chaos, to tell you the truth,” March said in a phone interview. “The shooting just started, and people began running.”
The celebration, which had drawn between 200 and 300 attendees, quickly turned tragic as shots rang out, sending people fleeing for safety.
Victims and Injuries
The victims who lost their lives included two 19-year-olds and one 25-year-old, while the eight injured were airlifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Aftermath
The shooting followed the homecoming football game at Holmes County Consolidated School. After the game, many young people gathered at the trail to celebrate the team’s win.
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Local deputies were on the scene collecting evidence, including ammunition, in an attempt to determine how many weapons were used in the shooting.
Ongoing Problem of Violence
Sheriff March expressed frustration over the recent rise in shootings among young men in Holmes County, a rural community with a population of nearly 16,000. He mentioned that disputes, or “beefs,” seem to be at the root of many of these violent incidents.
“It’s hard to understand what they’re fighting over,” March added. “I don’t think it’s about turf or drugs. These are just young men walking around with weapons. I wish I had an answer.”
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the fight and are working to identify those responsible for the shooting.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the cause of the altercation and identify those responsible for the gunfire.
