At least three separate shootings across Mississippi, all apparently connected to high school football games, left several people injured and dead, including an expectant mother.
Two of the shootings happened in the Delta in the towns of Leland and Rolling Fork, while another occurred in Heidelberg. Leland and Rolling Fork are only 39 miles from each other.
At least two of the games were homecoming celebrations.
Six dead, 10 injured in mass shooting in Leland
At least six people were killed and 10 others were injured in a mass shooting during a homecoming celebration overnight in Leland, according to the city’s Mayor John Lee.
Lee said the shooting occurred around 12 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11 after a homecoming football game at Leland High School. After the game, people gathered near the city’s Main Street, where shots were fired, Lee said.
“We’ve never had anything like this happen, we’re a city of low crime rate,” Lee told USA Today. “Everybody knows each other, we’re closely knit here in the city of Leland.”
According to the Washington County Coroner’s Office, victims identified as 41-year-old Black male Oreshama Johnson, 19-year-old Black male Calvin Plant, 25-year-old Black female Shelbyona Powell and 18-year-old Black female Kaslyn Johnson were pronounced dead at the scene.
Two other victims identified as 18-year-old Black male Amos Brantley Jr. and 34-year-old Black male JaMichael Jones died from their injuries at a hospital.
As of this publication, 10 others are being treated at a hospital.
“We ask that the community please remain patient with the coroner’s office and other investigating agencies, as we work to gather all the facts surrounding this investigation,” LaQuesha Watkins, coroner of Washington County, said in a statement. “Additionally, we ask that you pray for and respect the [families] as they navigate through this difficult time.”
No arrests or suspects have been announced, as of this publication.
Leland was hosting homecoming on Friday.
Leland was also the site of the 2024 death of Kadarius Smith, who was run over by a police officer. Smith’s mother later accepted his diploma.
Two arrested, 3 shot at Heidelberg High School
The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department has a person of interest in custody after three people were shot Friday at Heidelberg High School.
The Jones County Sherriff’s Department identified the suspect as 18-year-old Tylar Jarod Goodloe. Authorities were previously searching for Goodloe in connection to the shooting at Heidelberg High School.
According to Heidelberg Police Chief Cornell White, two people were shot and killed on the high school’s grounds, and at least one more person was injured.
Authorities said one victim was discovered dead on the school’s baseball field, while another victim died in a tailgating area near the bleachers.
According to a statement from Gov. Tate Reeves, one of the victims was an expectant mother.
“Our state is praying for the victims and their families, as well as the entire Heidelberg and Leland communities. Those responsible will be brought to justice,” Reeves stated.
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including MBI, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, the Heidelberg Police Department and the Bay Springs Police Department.
Heidelberg, the defencing 2A state champion, was hosting homecoming on Friday against Mize.
Two arrested after shooting at South Delta High School
According to Sharkey County Sheriff Herbert Ceasar Sr., two people were arrested and charged Saturday, Oct. 11, in connection to a Friday shooting at South Delta High School in Rolling Fork.
South Delta had played host to Simmons on Friday.
According to the sheriff’s office, the two suspects were identified as Justin Pam and Michael Miles Jr.
Ceasar said there was one victim identified as Quindale Wise. Wise was discovered with two gunshot wounds and laying on the ground outside of the school’s football stadium.
Ceaser said Wise was transported to a nearby hospital and last reported to be in stable condition.
Ceaser said in a statement that “acts of violence in our community will not be tolerated.”
“Our team of law enforcement officers are committed to pursuing justice swiftly and ensuring the safety of all residents and visitors that come to our county,” the statement reads. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family during this incredibly difficult time. We ask the community to come together in support and remain positive as the investigation continues.”
The Sharkey County Sheriff’s Department also extended their prayers and support to law enforcement agencies in Washington County and to all affected by “the senseless violent shooting” in Leland.
Rolling Fork has only recently begun to recover from a devastating EF-4 tornado that claimed 15 lives in the town. More lives might have been lost if a high school prom that night had not taken other students away from the town.
Pam Dankins is the breaking news reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Have a tip? Email her at pdankins@gannett.com.
