A shooting occurred in Mississippi, USA, killing 4 people, wounding 12, and leaving 4 in critical condition.
The shooting occurred around midnight on the main street of Leland, a small town 190km northeast of the state capital, Jackson, the small town’s mayor John Lee told the BBC.
Four of the injured were airlifted to the hospital, Lee added. No suspects have been arrested, but police are conducting a search.
Leland was busier than usual on Friday with a football game scheduled to celebrate homecoming, an annual American tradition in the fall when local high schools welcome former students to celebrate school spirit and community.
The mayor said the shooting did not occur on the Leland High School campus.
Mr Lee told the BBC: “We have been holding this event every year for many years and we have never had an incident of this nature.”
“And we’re a city of about 3,700 people that doesn’t have a high crime rate. We all get along and everyone knows everyone. So this is definitely a tragedy for us.”
The Leland Police Department told the BBC it was still investigating the incident and could not share further details at this time, including the number of bullets fired and the type of gun used. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the investigation.
State Sen. Derrick Simmons told The Associated Press that the scene was “very chaotic” after the shooting as police and first responders rushed to the area “from all over.”
“People were gathering in downtown Leland and having a good time,” Simmons told The Associated Press.
Officials are asking anyone with information about the “horrible” shooting to come forward, Simmons added.
A fatal shooting was also reported Friday night in Heidelburg, another small Mississippi town about 200 miles southeast of Leland.
The attack also occurred over the town’s Homecoming weekend and claimed two lives, Heidelberg Police Chief Cornel White told The Associated Press.
There is no indication that the Leland and Heidelberg shootings are connected.
