A woman lost her life and 12 others sustained injuries in a shooting at Club Oasis in West Point, Mississippi, early Sunday, as per media, citing statements from law enforcement. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott reported that upon arrival, deputies discovered a 20-year-old woman deceased.
The injuries among the other victims ranged from minor to severe, including one individual who was shot in the face. Scott noted that the event attracted attendees from various counties, with about 90% of them coming from outside the local area. Despite the presence of security at the venue, it remains unclear how a firearm was smuggled inside.
Sheriff Scott told media about a security guard who attempted to pursue a suspected shooter, allegedly armed with a rifle, across a parking lot and a highway, eventually losing sight of them near a wooded area. The club was reported to be crowded with “several hundred” people at the time of the incident. Authorities are now trying to verify attendee numbers and whether any video surveillance from the club could provide insights into the event.
According to Scott, the club is required to have security cameras by ordinance, yet the club’s owner reported that they were not functioning at the time of the shooting. No arrests have been made, and investigations are ongoing.
Describing the night as chaotic and the collection of reliable information challenging, Scott highlighted the difficulties faced by law enforcement in managing the situation. Media also mentioned that, according to the Gun Violence Archive, this event is among 66 mass shootings in the US this year, with a mass shooting defined as an incident where at least four people are shot, not including the shooter.