Authorities say the gathering at Columbus Fairgrounds where a man was shot Monday morning was not properly permitted with the city.
Between 200 and 300 people were attending a party at the fairgrounds Sunday night and early Monday morning when 25-year-old Jeremy Wells was shot outside the buildings at the fairgrounds, said Fred Shelton, assistant police chief with the Columbus Police Department. Wells was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle. He was later airlifted to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo where he remains in stable condition, Shelton said.
Wells was shot in the hip, City Public Information Officer Joe Dillon said.
CPD is investigating and do not currently have a suspect.
City ordinance
In November 2014, the city passed an ordinance requiring property owners leasing a venue to a gathering of more than 100 people within the city limits and where alcohol will be served to apply for a permit. Property owners in violation of the ordinance can be fined up to $500 for the first offense or $1,000 for multiple offenses, according to a copy of the ordianance provided by city attorney Jeff Turnage.
If a violation results in serious injury or death, Turnage added, the city may permanently deny the property owner from receiving an event permit for all future events at any of their properties.
Shelton confirmed the property owners were aware of the event but didn’t apply for a permit.
The Columbus Fair and Livestock Association owns the fairgrounds. The Dispatch’s efforts to reach the owners were unsuccessful.
Jane Jordan, temporary property manager for the fairgrounds, said it was renters’ responsibility to apply for an event permit with the city. She added she didn’t know anyone was shot in any of the buildings on the property.
Though private security was at the scene, the lack of a permit meant CPD patrols weren’t stopping in to check IDs, making sure alcohol vendors had correct permits or ensuring the event closed down at the right time — something officers do for large gatherings in the city.
“We do frequent checks and make sure that there’s no fighting and … make sure there’s no disturbances,” Shelton said.
The ordinance requires property owners to apply for a permit at least five days before the event and have one security guard in place for every 50 people expected to attend, in addition to a copy of lease agreements with the event hosts and proof of a $250,000 liability insurance.
The permits also let the CPD know where events are so officers can drop in and check IDs and be prepared for any trouble from the event.
A history of gun violence
The Columbus City Council passed the ordinance requiring a permit two years ago, in part, because of shootings at the fairgrounds.
In May 2014, 21-year-old Devin Montgomery was shot and killed, and another attendee was injured at a graduation party at the fairgrounds.
Kale Scott, who was 19 years old at the time, turned himself in to the CPD for the crime two days later and was charged with murder. Scott was convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison in August 2015.
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