Six people were killed in a “series of shootings” in a rural Mississippi town on Friday, authorities said, adding that the shooter was in custody.
Bailey C. Martin, a spokesman for the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, confirmed the murder in Arkabutla, a town of about 290 people about 45 miles south of Memphis.
Martin said the office is assisting with the investigation and declined to comment further, referring questions to the Tate County Sheriff’s Office. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives The New Orleans Field Division is also assisting, the agency said on Twitter.
The sheriff’s office declined to answer other questions, citing an ongoing investigation.
Governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi said he was briefed on the shooting and it is believed a male gunman acted alone. The motive is not clear, he said.
“I will ensure that full state resources are available to law enforcement as we continue to investigate this incident,” the governor said in a statement. “Please pray for the victims of this tragic violence and their families at this time.”
