A festive homecoming event in Lexington, Mississippi, ended in tragedy when gunfire erupted in a crowd, leading to the death of three individuals and injuries to eight others. The victims, two aged 19 and one aged 25, were part of a large gathering of hundreds who had assembled following a homecoming football game at Holmes County Consolidated Schools on Friday evening.
The school is located near Lexington, about 60 miles north of Mississippi’s state capital, Jackson. The injured were quickly transported to nearby hospitals, with some requiring airlifts to Jackson due to the severity of their injuries. The shooting took place around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, after a heated argument among a crowd of nearly 300 young people.
Holmes County Sheriff Willie March stated that the crowd had gathered to celebrate the football team’s victory. However, the joyous atmosphere rapidly descended into chaos when the shooting began. March estimated that between 200 to 300 people were present at the outdoor trail where the celebration was taking place.
Sheriff March clarified that the school was not involved in organizing the post-game gathering. The Indian Creek Trail, where the celebration was held, had been rented out for a party. Joe Johnson, a co-owner of the trail and uncle to one of the injured, disclosed that the party was scheduled to end shortly before the shooting occurred.
Johnson described the horrifying moment when the shots were fired, likening the sound to that of a machine gun. He mentioned that events at Indian Creek Trail usually have security measures in place, including weapon confiscation. However, on this occasion, the shooters managed to evade these precautions.
Investigators believe that the shooters used a firearm equipped with a “switch,” a device that can convert a semi-automatic pistol into a selective fire machine pistol. Johnson, who is also an ordained minister, expressed his sorrow over the incident, mourning the innocent lives lost and injured. He voiced his wish to counsel young people about love and unity, and expressed gratitude that his nephew and son, who were present at the scene, were not among the victims.