A mass shooting in Leland Friday night left six people dead and more than two-dozen injured.
It was a terrible tragedy, and as of Thursday afternoon, nine suspects were in custody people have been charged in connection with the incident.
When I initially heard about the shooting, my heart likely skipped a beat.
I was at home when the news came in.
News reports said the violence broke out during a homecoming celebration in Leland, and I knew that the Charleston High School Tigers had played the Leland High School Cubs during homecoming there that night.
Thankfully, as I would soon learn, the Leland football game ended about 9 p.m., and the shooting did not occur until several hours later during an after-party on Main Street.
There was no violence in or around the football stadium along Highway 82.
Asked Tuesday about the incident, CHS head coach Rasheed DeBerry was very complimentary of the scene at the football stadium before, during and after the game.
“I just want to go on record saying that the people we encountered treated us with respect. ... It was a pretty positive atmosphere where we were. We encountered no type of friction, disgruntled fans or anything of that nature,” said DeBerry. “I just hate that event happened in that town. Our hearts and prayers go out to them for what they’re going through right now.”
There also were homecoming-related shootings at high schools in Heidelberg and Rolling Fork Friday night, and a couple more Saturday involving Alcorn State and Jackson State universities.
With homecoming set this Friday at West Tallahatchie High School in Webb, and next Friday at Charleston High School, law enforcement officers say security will be extra tight.
On Sunday, Webb Police Chief Terry Tyler and Assistant Police Chief Damion Blue made a joint post on Tyler’s Facebook page, pledging an “unmatched” police presence in the town, including increased foot and vehicle patrols in Webb and around West Tallahatchie High School and Choctaw Stadium for all homecoming-related events, including a parade and the football game.
“Our goal is simple — to make sure everyone who comes out and enjoys West Tallahatchie school’s homecoming festivities, wherever they may be, can do it in a safe and secure environment,” the statement added.
Tallahatchie County Sheriff Jimmy Fly said Tuesday that because of last week’s outbreak of violence surrounding multiple homecoming events, his office is “planning on having extra people out and a heavy patrol at the games” in Webb and Charleston.
Charleston police officers will no doubt follow suit for the CHS homecoming Oct. 24.
Both the East and West Tallahatchie school districts have their own campus police, the school resource officers. They, too, will be on heightened alert.
By all accounts, the shootings last Friday and Saturday were random and unrelated, so there is no reason to expect anything out of the ordinary Friday night in Webb or next Friday in Charleston.
That said, it must give the public some reassurance to know that local law enforcement agencies are approaching these large outdoor school gatherings with eyes wide open.
