Saturday proved to be a harrowing day at a pair of HBCU homecoming celebrations.
The violence left students, alumni, and local communities reeling, as authorities scrambled to respond and maintain safety.
Shooting near site of Jackson State football game
Jackson State University’s homecoming festivities were marred by reports of gunfire near the tailgating area of Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, according to the Clarion-Ledger.
According to local authorities, a child was hit during the incident and was transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center by Jackson Police.
While the extent of the child’s injuries remains unclear, both Capitol Police and the Jackson Police Department launched investigations at the scene, the newspaper reported.
Deadly shooting incident at Alcorn State
About an hour south, tragedy struck Alcorn State University, where gunfire erupted near an old gas station on campus around 6:30 p.m.
The shooting resulted in the death of a woman, the newspaper reported. Two others were taken to local hospitals with injuries.
The incident prompted an immediate campus lockdown, with students ordered to shelter in place as police secured the area and began their investigation, according to the university.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is in charge of the ongoing case, with updates on the identities of the victim and injured parties yet to be released.
