At least one person died and four others were injured after gunfire broke out during the Mississippi State Fairgrounds Bug Festival in Jackson late Saturday, local authorities said.
During a late-night news conference, Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones told reporters that investigators were still working to find out exactly what led to the chaotic exchange of guns. .
But deaths may have been due to law enforcement returning fire, he said.
“At certain points in time, there were a number of shots fired from a number of individuals. We believe there was a number of gunmen involved, at least five people were shot. One of those shot was pronounced dead at the scene,” he said.
He said an officer-involved shooting investigation has been launched in connection with the incident, because “we believe one of the law enforcement officers [at the scene] discharged his weapon, and we believe at this particular time that the victim’s death may have been the result of an officer’s shooting. “
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has now been called in to assist, he said.
“At this point, we don’t know what the motive was, or what exactly happened,” he said, adding that two rifles, at least one pistol and “a large amount of shell casings.” different caliber” was recovered at the scene.
Earlier, Jones had warned on Twitter that “several gunmen” had opened fire and said “the investigation is underway as an active shooting situation.”
WLBT reported that all games at the festival were shut down after gunfire and guests were forced to leave when police arrived in the area.
The Mudbug Festival is a 5-day event featuring musical performances, fair play, and fish boils. American Idol winner Laine Hardy was scheduled to perform at the event but was dropped from the list after he was arrested Friday for allegedly wiretapping his ex-girlfriend’s dorm room at Louisiana State University.
