In the US state of Mississippi, six people were killed in a shooting spree in four different locations on Friday. The alleged perpetrator was then arrested by deputy sheriffs, according to local media and witnesses. The bloody crime took place in Arkabutla, a village with fewer than 300 residents in Tate County in northern Mississippi, about 60 kilometers south of the metropolis of Memphis in the US state of Tennessee.
The shooter went into a store and shot a man, then proceeded to a nearby building where he shot a woman, broadcaster WJTV-12 reported, citing Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance. He then marched to a house where he was believed to be staying and shot dead two more people there, according to WJTV.
A deputy sheriff spotted a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s car and attempted to stop it. As the driver drove on, the officer gave chase, which led to the driveway of another home, where the suspect was arrested, WJTV reported.
In this building, officers found two other victims. One dead was in a car, another dead was on the street.
A witness said he drew his pistol and considered shooting the suspect, who was armed with a shotgun, but then decided not to fire. Instead, witness Ethan Cash, 18, told Archyde.com news agency, he attended to a man who had been shot in his car in front of the store and found he had no pulse and was unresponsive.
Motive completely unclear
The 18-year-old then pointed his pistol at another man, who turned out to be the victim’s brother. “He said, ‘Man, they just shot my brother,'” Cash said. “And I was like, ‘Man, I’m so sorry. Let’s make sure everyone’s okay.'” Later, Cash says, he spotted the suspect.
“I wanted to shoot the guy as he drove away but I wasn’t sure who it was and I didn’t want to hurt anyone so I left that to the cops. It’s their job anyway,” Cash explained.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said on social media that he had been briefed on the incident. Authorities have arrested a man believed to have acted alone. His motive is not yet known, Reeves said. “Please pray for the victims of this tragic act of violence and their families at this time,” Reeves said.
The Tate County Sheriff’s Office has yet to comment. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety said state investigators had been called to assist, but referred to inquiries to the sheriff. (apa/reuters)