CLAY COUNTY – Five people, including at least four bystanders, were injured Sunday morning in a shooting during a bonfire on Cousins Road.
A 911 call came in at 12:25 a.m. Sunday for a shooting at the Bottom World bonfire on the west side of the county, Sheriff Eddie Scott said.
From the preliminary investigation conducted by the sheriff’s office, Scott said it appeared as though two groups at the event opened fire at each other in the crowd.
Of the five injured in the crossfire, three were taken to North Mississippi Medical Center in West Point, one was airlifted to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo and the other was airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Scott said.
One victim is under investigation for possibly being connected to the shooting, Scott said, but the sheriff’s office has not yet identified any other suspects.
Scott said it appeared four of the victims would make full recoveries. He did not know the status of the victim taken to UMMC.
Scott said security at the event estimated the crowd was between 2,000 to 3,000 people. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation, Scott said.
“Out of our preliminary investigations … we haven’t gotten much further than that,” he said.
Que Brownlee, the owner of event organizer Bottom World, took to Facebook Sunday and posted messages expressing appreciation for attendees and condolences for the victims of the shooting.
“We can’t control what’s on these other people’s minds when they come to our events,” Brownlee’s Facebook post reads. “But we take pride in what we do and do everything in our power to protect everyone. … My apologies to the people affected.”
Brownlee did not return messages from The Dispatch by press time.
Scott said for the foreseeable future his office will not issue permits for bonfires, trail rides or large outdoor events. He said that a more specific timeframe for how long permits will be suspended will be decided at the next Clay County Board of Supervisors meeting Monday.
The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at (662) 494-2896 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at (800) 530-7151.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 42 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
