A murder suspect is now in custody after a series of shootings in Mississippi left six people dead on Friday.
Governor Tate Reeves confirmed the deadly events that unfolded in Arkabutla, Mississippi, expressing his condolences and saying that the individual responsible has been taken into custody alive. The motive behind the killings is still unknown.
The names of the victims and the shooter have not been released. It is unclear if the suspect had any prior connections to the victims. The Tate County Sheriff’s Office and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation are investigating the incident.
According to Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance, the first shooting took place around 11 am outside of a store in Arkabutla where a man was shot and killed. Soon after, a woman was discovered dead from a gunshot wound inside of a home in the area. Later, four more people were found dead- two inside a home and two others on Arkabutler Dam Road.
Governor Reeves said that the individual responsible acted alone, and the investigation is ongoing. The motive behind the shootings remains a mystery, and the community is in shock over the senseless loss of life.
The shootings in Arkabutla come amid an uptick in gun violence in the United States, with many calling for action to address the issue.