Three people were killed and eight others were injured in central Mississippi after gunfire erupted at a homecoming celebration, following a fight among attendees. Hundreds fled the scene as authorities worked to gather evidence on the incident.

LEXINGTON, MS (1-minute read) — In a tragic turn of events early Saturday morning, three people were killed and eight others were injured in central Mississippi when gunmen opened fire into a crowd celebrating a homecoming football victory. The celebration, held on an outdoor trail about five miles outside Lexington, turned chaotic when at least two individuals began shooting into the group, which had gathered several hours after the game.

According to Holmes County Sheriff Willie March, the gunfire was preceded by a physical altercation involving some of the attendees. While the exact cause of the fight remains unclear, the sheriff confirmed that the violence erupted quickly, sending between 200 and 300 people fleeing for safety. “It was chaos, to tell you the truth,” March said, describing the scene where the crowd scattered as shots rang out.

The three people killed were aged 19 and 25, while the eight injured were transported to local hospitals by airlift. Authorities are currently investigating how many firearms were used in the shooting, and deputies continue to gather evidence, including ammunition found at the scene.

The sheriff pointed out that shootings by young men have become an intermittent issue in Holmes County, which has a population of nearly 16,000. Sheriff March said many of these shootings seem to be the result of personal conflicts or “beefs” between individuals rather than gang activity or drug disputes. “These are young men walking around with weapons. I wish I had an answer,” the sheriff lamented.

Safety Tip: Always be aware of your surroundings when attending large gatherings, and if you notice tension or escalating conflicts, remove yourself from the situation. Firearm safety includes knowing when and where to carry, and responsibly storing your firearm.