MOSSELLE, MS — A security guard at a Mississippi chicken-processing plant is being credited with stopping a potential mass shooting after engaging and fatally shooting an armed employee attempting to enter the facility.

The incident occurred around 2 p.m. on January 29, 2025, at Southern Hens, Inc., in Jones County. Authorities say 21-year-old Lorenzo Hawthorne, an employee at the plant, had a dispute with a coworker before leaving the building, retrieving an AR-15-style rifle from his vehicle, and opening fire in the parking lot.

According to Jones County Sheriff’s Department Investigator Stephen Graeser, Hawthorne fired multiple rounds at vehicles where workers were present. Fortunately, no one was struck, and employees fled the area. Witnesses report that Hawthorne then attempted to re-enter the plant while still armed.

At this point, an on-site security guard intervened. Reports indicate that multiple rounds were exchanged between the two, with the guard ultimately stopping Hawthorne with two well-placed shots.

Kelvin Snyder, an employee at Southern Hens who witnessed the incident, described the harrowing moments leading up to the fatal encounter.

“He was planning to come inside the plant,” Snyder said. “Like I seen him. He was walking, fixin’ to come in the plant, and they stopped him. They stopped him with two shots.”

Authorities are continuing to investigate the shooting, but many employees are already calling the security guard a hero for preventing what could have been a mass casualty event.

Importance of Armed Security in Workplace Incidents

This incident underscores the importance of armed security personnel in protecting workplaces from active threats. The security guard’s quick response prevented a dangerous situation from escalating into a tragedy. Situations like these highlight the need for businesses, especially those with large workforces, to have trained security professionals capable of responding effectively to violent threats.

Carrying a firearm for self-defense is a serious responsibility that requires training, situational awareness, and the ability to make split-second decisions. In this case, the security guard’s decisive action potentially saved many lives.