One person is dead and seven others are injured following a shooting that took place in downtown Jackson hours after the area’s largest annual parade.
Authorities confirm that the fatal incident happened near Pearl Street and Lamar Street on Saturday around 7: 15 p.m. The 42nd annual Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade & Festival had taken place in that area earlier that day, with thousands of people in the capital city for the festivities.
According to officials, 21-year-old Cortez George was killed in the gunfire. He was reportedly shot multiple times. The other seven shooting victims have not been identified, nor has there been an update on their current condition.
No arrests have been made at this time. Law enforcement officials have not publicly identified any suspects.
Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones took to social media to blast “violent, crime-ridden, virus specimens” for these types of crimes in Jackson. While assuring the public that the shooting had no connection with the parade that had taken place earlier, Jones also acknowledged that violent outbreaks like the one on Saturday hurt a city already struggling with perception as it relates to crime.
“It’s these cruel-minded specimens that bring their violent behavior to the streets thinking they’re impressing some, but hurting so many others, and continuing to cast a dark cloud over the city,” Jones said. “These POS deserve no place in society, and corrective measurements should be imminent, since their homes lacked accountability and corrective measurements.”
Capitol police is leading the investigation into the fatal incident. Anyone with information connected to the case is urged to call (601) 359-3125.
