HAMILTON — Two women, including one from Columbus, are dead after an argument apparently escalated to gunfire Friday, according to a press release from Monroe County Coroner Alan Gurley.
At about 2:40 p.m. on Friday, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Harris Road, which is off of Flower Farm Road, after a 911 caller said two people had been shot, Gurley said.
Jasmine Betts, 24, of Columbus, and Drucilla Blevins, 25, of Hamilton, were both pronounced dead on the scene, Gurley said. Both had single gunshot wounds.
MCSO Investigator Wayne Wilbanks told The Dispatch on Monday the two women knew each other, but it was not yet clear if they were related.
“We don’t know for sure (if they were related), but the investigation is ongoing,” he said.
While Wilbanks would not comment definitively if it was a “murder-suicide,” he said investigators believe there was only one shooter.
Only one weapon was recovered, and one of the deceased is suspected to have fired the fatal shots, he said.
Wilbanks did say law enforcement is not looking for another suspect, and there is no danger to the public.
Gurley said the bodies will be sent to the state medical examiner’s office in Pearl for an autopsy.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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