3 dead, 8 wounded in shooting after homecoming football game in Mississippi

Three people were killed and several others injured in a shooting following a Mississippi high school’s homecoming football game, according to local police.

The shooting happened around midnight Saturday in Holmes County, about five miles outside the city of Lexington. It happened hours after the Holmes County Central High School football team defeated its rivals during their homecoming game Friday night, Sheriff Willie March told the Clarion Ledger.

To celebrate the victory, a group of people decided to go horseback riding along Highway 17 North. During that celebration, an argument broke out between two young men, March said, noting that shots were fired shortly afterwards. He did not provide any specific information about what triggered the dispute.

Three people were fatally shot in the shooting. They have since been identified as Martel Gibson, 25; Shundra Chestnut, 19; and John Jenkins, also 19.

March added that at least eight other people were injured in the shooting. Some of the victims were flown to a hospital in Jackson, while others were transported by ambulance, he said.

“Emotions in the community are very high right now,” he told the Ledger. He also emphasized that no incidents were reported during the home game itself.

Authorities have not yet released any information about the suspects. March said a search for the shooter or shooters is underway and that the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the investigation.