Leland, Mississippi, 12 October (H.S.): A night of celebration turned to horror in the small town of Leland, Mississippi, as a mass shooting during homecoming festivities left four dead and twelve others injured, four critically, in the early hours of Saturday. The incident occurred around midnight on Leland’s main street, about 190 kilometers northeast of Jackson, the state capital.Mayor John Lee described the close-knit community of approximately 3,700 residents as shocked by the violent outbreak, noting that such incidents are rare in the town.

The shooting happened off the Leland High School campus during a traditional homecoming event that draws alumni and locals alike, marking an annual celebration of school spirit.Emergency responders swiftly airlifted four critically wounded victims to hospitals as a police manhunt got underway. Despite the rapid response, no suspects have yet been apprehended.

The Leland Police Department, supported by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, continues to probe the shooting but has withheld details about the firearms used or the number of shots fired.This tragedy coincided with another deadly shooting during homecoming weekend in Heidelberg, Mississippi, located 200 miles southeast of Leland, which claimed two lives.

Authorities have found no evidence linking the two separate incidents.State Senator Derrick Simmons described the chaotic scene following the gunfire, emphasizing the community’s devastation and urging anyone with information to come forward. The shootings underscore ongoing concerns about gun violence impacting small towns across the United States amid cherished local gatherings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar