Four people were killed and at least 12 others injured in a shooting in the city of Leland, in the northwestern US state of Mississippi, Mayor John Lee said.
He told CNN that a total of 16 people were injured and four died near downtown Leland around midnight. Lee did not specify whether the four dead were among the 16 injured.
According to him, no one has been arrested in connection with the shooting. The investigation is ongoing, the Leland Police Department confirmed to the media outlet, but did not provide further details.
According to CNN affiliate WAPT, citing Mississippi State Senator Derrick Simmons, the shooting occurred during a gathering after a football game to celebrate "homecominga” at Liland High School. CNN reports that it was not immediately able to reach Simons.
"Homecoming" is a traditional American event - a celebration of the return of former students to their school or university. It is held every fall, usually in high schools and universities, and has great social and symbolic meaning in American culture.
"People were just gathering and having a good time in downtown Leland," Simmons told The Associated Press.
“This is senseless gun violence,” he added. “What we are experiencing now is a veritable flood of weapons circulating freely among people.”
Mayor Li stressed that the shooting did not occur near the school, but he did not want to provide further details about the incident.
Leland is a city of about 4.000 residents, located about 185 kilometers northwest of the state capital, Jackson.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation said it was assisting in the investigation, but that the Leland Police Department would be responsible for releasing details about the case.
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