At least six people were killed in a spate of shootings across eastern Mississippi on Friday night (local time), with authorities confirming that a suspect has been taken into custody, according to a Reuters report citing local officials.
The shootings occurred at three different locations, WTVA, an NBC News affiliate, reported. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said in a social media post that a suspect had been arrested and assured residents that the person “is in custody and no longer poses a threat to our community.”
While the sheriff did not mention the exact number of victims in his initial statement, WTVA reported that six people were shot dead. Scott later told the outlet that the incidents took place in and around West Point, a town near the Mississippi–Alabama border.
“Multiple innocent lives were lost due to violence,” Scott said in a Facebook post, urging people to pray for the victims and their families. He added that law enforcement agencies were actively investigating the case and would share further updates soon.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for additional information early Saturday. Officials said more details would be provided during a scheduled news conference.
Clay County, in northeastern Mississippi, has a population of around 20,000.
Mississippi has witnessed several shooting incidents in recent months. In October last year, at least three separate shootings were reported in the state, reportedly linked to high school football games. In one such incident in the northwestern city of Leland, six people were killed and at least 12 others injured.