Mississippi club shooting: One woman dead, around 12 others injured while suspected gunman escapes
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
WEST POINT, MISSISSIPPI: One woman was killed and up to 12 other persons were injured in an ambush shooting that occurred at a club in West Point, Mississippi, on March 3, Sunday, according to Mississippi law enforcement officials.
According to Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott, the shooting took place inside Club Oasis early on Sunday morning.
20-year-old woman was found dead at party
In the words of Scott, when the deputies got there, they discovered a woman, 20, dead. One person was shot in the face, and the injuries to the other gunshot victims ranged from minor to serious.
“What we do know is that a party was advertised, and all these individuals came from other counties into our county,” Scott said.
“About 90% of the partygoers were from other counties.”
As per a statement from Scott, the club was secured, and investigators are unsure how a weapon entered the establishment.
The sheriff told CNN that one security guard had chased the suspected shooter, who was thought to be carrying a rifle, as they fled through a four-lane highway and a parking lot before vanishing into the woods.
66 mass shootings occurred nationwide this year
According to Scott, there were "several hundred" people inside the club when the shooting started. Authorities are trying to verify the number and see if there is any video that shows the club at the time of the shooting.
“Per our ordinance, the club is supposed to have security cameras, but for some reason or another, last night, the club owner said his weren’t working,” Scott said.
Scott said that the shooting is still being investigated and no one has been taken into custody.
“Last night was so hectic trying to get actual good, solid information,” Scott said.
“It was very difficult with the number of victims and the chaos we had going on.”
The Gun Violence Archive reports that there have been 66 mass shootings across the nation this year.
According to the Gun Violence Archive and CNN, a mass shooting occurs when at least four people are shot in total, but excluding the shooter.
