STARKVILLE — A second person has died from a shooting Wednesday evening outside of an apartment complex off Henderson and Pilcher streets.
Earnest Perkins, 32, died Thursday afternoon at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. Justin Vaughn, 32, of Starkville, died Wednesday, according to Oktibbeha County Coroner Michael Hunt.
Starkville Police Department responded to the scene at about 5 p.m. Wednesday after receiving reports of shots fired. The department is still in the early stages of the investigation, Public Information Officer Brandon Lovelady said, and no suspects have been arrested.
Some residents of the Pilcher Street apartment complex expressed concern about the violent event. One resident, Joanne Waters, said she hopes situations such as these stop in the area.
The complex is a well-known hangout spot that causes frequent trouble, Waters said, and the victims of the shooting were not residents. She said it is scary and discomforting at times for all of the families with children that live there.
“People come over, and they just do crazy stuff,” Waters said. “So many children are out there playing, and people are coming over here shooting.”
Waters also told the Dispatch that the mother of one of the victims did not know her son had died until she arrived on the scene Wednesday.
“I just feel for that mama that had to find out her son had died out here,” Waters said.
Lovelady said SPD is hoping the public can help investigators with information that will lead to locating suspects.
“We’re putting a lot of resources into this,” Lovelady said. “If you have any information please contact the Starkville Police Department or leave an anonymous tip on our website.”
Anyone with information on the incident can also contact Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 800-530-7151.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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