Washington [US], February 18: A shooting occurred in a small town in the state of Mississippi (USA) that left 6 people dead.
The shooting occurred at many locations in the town of Arkabutla, Tate district on February 17. Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesman Bailey Martin confirmed the information, according to AP.
Arkabutla is located 50 kilometers south of Memphis (Tennessee) and has only about 285 residents, according to the most recent census.
Governor Tate Reeves' office said he was informed of the shooting and that a male suspect had been arrested. "At this point, we believe that person acted alone. His motives are unknown," Mr. Reeves added.
Local station WJTV reported that authorities had identified the suspect as Richard Dale Crum. He was charged with first-degree murder and could receive new charges.
Local police say the shootings occurred at a convenience store and several homes. Police and rescue forces were seen outside the store on the afternoon of February 17 while authorities cordoned off the house.
Police officer Brad Lance said the gunman entered the store and shot a man, then went through the house next door on Bend Road and shot a woman. The suspect continued to pass another house on Arkabutka Dam Road and shot and killed two people.
A police officer spotted the suspicious vehicle and tried to stop the suspect, but he didn't stop. The car then turned into a house. Here, the suspect was arrested and police discovered one more dead person in a car and another dead on the road.
Ethan Cash, who lives near the store, said he heard gunshots. "I woke up and looked over to see a guy walking around with a shotgun," Cash said.
The witness then went to the scene and saw a person being shot. He tested the victim's pulse but could not find the victim's pulse.
Two schools in the area had to close temporarily while the suspect was not arrested. After that, schools announced that the blockade order was lifted and all students and staff were safe.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the case. This is the first mass murder in the US since January 23, according to the AP/USA Today database. A mass murder is defined as four or more deaths, excluding the perpetrator. On January 23, a shooting occurred at two farms in the city of Half Moon Bay, California, killing 7 people.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper
