Park Shooting Remains Under Investigation
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WATER VALLEY –The Water Valley Police Department is investigating a shooting in Baker Street Park Sunday night that left a 24-year-old man critically injured. Chief Jason Mangrum reported an investigation is ongoing and officers have identified two potential persons of interest.
The chief said officers were dispatched to the park at 5:39 p.m. and arrived on the scene in three minutes.
“The victim was alert, conscious and talking, but it was a very critical situation. He was shot in the chest area,” Mangrum told the Herald. “I would like to credit the responding officers and bystanders for rendering first aid while waiting on the ambulance,” Mangrum said.
The victim was flown to Regional One Health in Memphis and officers worked into the night Sunday, canvassing the area and talking to witnesses. The chief estimated there were around 10 to 12 people in the vicinity when the shooting occurred, but no one saw the shooter. Multiple spent shell casings were recovered at the scene.
Officers returned to the park Monday morning to continue the investigation in the daylight going door to door, checking for possible home video cameras in the area and talking to neighbors.
“Residents in the area have been extremely cooperative, we appreciate all of their support in this investigation,” Mangrum added.
Although it remains early in the investigation, the chief reported that multiple rounds were fired, likely between seven and 15 shots.
“We possibly have two firearms involved in this incident,” Mangrum added. “It appears that the victim did not have a firearm and we have not confirmed that he was the intended target, he could have been in the line of fire. This may have been a dispute involving a female. It is still too early to tell, but we are getting closer to lining up all the details.”
The chief encouraged anybody with information to reach out to his department. He also said there were other people in the park when the shooting occurred.
“Understandably when the shooting started, people fled for safety. If anybody saw anything or has information, we would like to set up a meeting to get their statement,” Mangrum said.
The chief also extended gratitude to the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department for assisting.
“Deputies were in the vicinity and arrived on the scene a minute before city officers and provided valuable assistance,” the chief explained.
Mangrum also reported that officers continue to work on an unrelated investigation after 10 vehicles were burglarized and one vehicle was stolen during the early morning hours on October 29. The stolen vehicle was recovered by authorities in Panola County after a lengthy pursuit that ended in a crash. Mangrum said the driver, a juvenile, is expected to be a strong link in this investigation.
“We believe there are four suspects, likely all juveniles, involved in this case,” Mangrum noted.
