Three people were killed and several more wounded in a trail ride shooting that unfolded after a Mississippi high school’s homecoming football game, local police said.
The gunfire erupted around midnight on Saturday in Holmes County, about five miles outside of the City of Lexington. It came hours after the Holmes County Central High School football team bested their rivals during their homecoming game Friday night, Sheriff Willie March told the Clarion Ledger.
To celebrate the victory, a group of people decided to embark on a trail ride along Highway 17 North. A dispute broke out between two young men during that celebration, March said, noting that the gunfire followed shortly thereafter. He did not provide specific details on what sparked the argument.
Three people were fatally struck in the gunfire. They have since been identified as Martel Gibson, 25; Shundra Chestnut, 19; and John Jenkins, also 19.
March added that at least another eight people were wounded in the shooting. Some of the victims were airlifted to a hospital in Jackson while others were transported by ambulance, he said.
“The emotions are running really high for the community right now,” he told the Ledger. He also emphasized there were no incidents reported during the homecoming game itself.
So far, authorities have not released any information about the suspects. March said a search for the shooter or shooters is underway and that the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the investigation.
Anyone with information can contact the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office at (662) 834-1511 or CrimeStoppers at (662) 834-0099.
