A horrific series of shootings in the US state of Mississippi left at least six people dead on Friday night. The violence, carried out by a single gunman, spanned three different crime scenes before the suspect was finally taken into custody.
Sheriff Confirms 'Multiple Innocent Lives' Lost
Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott confirmed the tragic incident on social media. In a Facebook post on Saturday, 10 January 2026, he stated that 'multiple innocent lives' were lost 'due to violence' in the town of West Point. This community is located near the Alabama border in northeastern Mississippi.
Sheriff Scott requested prayers for the victims and their grieving families. "I ask that you lift our victims and their families in your prayers," he wrote, underscoring the profound loss felt by the small, tight-knit community.
One Gunman, Three Crime Scenes
According to reports from local media, including NBC News affiliate WTVA, the deadly spree was the work of a sole perpetrator. The shootings unfolded across three separate locations within the area, creating a scene of chaos and fear.
While the Sheriff's official communication did not specify a death toll, WTVA reported that six people were fatally shot. The rapid succession of violence across multiple sites suggests a calculated and devastating attack.
Suspect in Custody, Community Alert Lifted
Law enforcement moved swiftly to apprehend the individual believed responsible. By Saturday, 10 January, authorities had successfully taken the suspect into custody.
Sheriff Eddie Scott assured the public that the immediate threat has been neutralized. He confirmed that the suspect 'is in custody and no longer poses a threat' to the residents of Clay County. This brought a measure of relief to a county with a population of approximately 20,000 people, as reported by Reuters.
The investigation into the motive and the precise sequence of events is ongoing. This tragic incident adds to the grim statistics of gun violence in the United States, leaving another community to mourn and seek answers.
