LELAND – Nearly a week after gunshots ripped through homecoming celebrations killing six and hitting at least 20 people in Leland, state, local and federal law enforcement partners gathered blocks away Thursday to ask the public to continue coming forward with information.
“We look forward to speaking with you. All information is valuable,” said Robert Eikhoff, special agent in charge of the FBI office in Jackson.
But the public wants answers, too.
“What assurance do we have that all of this is going to stop or it will come to a close?” Reseann Mitchell, a Leland resident, asked the police.
“I understand. We can’t stop it but we can slow it down,” Chief Jimmy Myrick replied.
When asked for details about the shooting, including motives, whether the shooting was random or if the suspects had any relation to the victims, Myrick said he couldn’t answer because of the ongoing investigation.
Reseann Mitchell of Leland. Miss.. talks about the mass shooting in her town on Friday. Her son, Terregernal S. Martin, is among those charged with capital murder, but she maintains he was not involved but working security. Credit: Mina Corpus/Mississippi TodayAfter the press conference, Mitchell said her son, Terregernal S. Martin, is among those charged in the shooting. She said he did not fire a weapon, but was working as security at a building near where gunfire broke out.
She said it’s been frustrating trying to get in touch with law enforcement agencies that are involved in the investigation and to advocate for her son. She has been able to talk to him on the phone while he is being held at the Washington County jail.
“I hate to see this happen,” Mitchell said, noting how her son grew up with one of the victims. She said she was inside a club near the Leland block party and dropped to the floor when she heard gunshots and saw bodies lying on the ground.
Nine arrests have been made in Leland, but only five names have been made public, including Martin, 33, who is charged with capital murder. The others are Morgan Lattimore, 25, charged with capital murder; Teviyon L. Powell, 29, capital murder; William Bryant, 29, capital murder; and Latoya A. Powell, 44, attempted murder.
The FBI said Martin’s bond was set at $1 million cash. Bond information for the rest was not immediately available.
The shooting was one of several that happened during homecoming festivities on high school and college campuses last weekend, which left another four people dead and more injured.
Two people in the Leland shooting remain in critical condition. More than 25 were hit by the gunfire.
Those killed have been identified as Oreshama Johnson, 41; Calvin Plant, 19; Shelbyona Powell, 25; Kaslyn Johnson, 18; Amos Brantley Jr., 18; and JaMichael Jones, 34.
At Thursday’s news conference, officials recognized the tragedy that the community has experienced and the grief it is processing, and said they will hold those responsible accountable.
The officials were asked about how to ensure public safety in Leland and in communities having homecoming celebrations. They responded that there would be an increased law enforcement presence.
Mississippi Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said there is much to be done to answer questions of why the shooting happened. When asked what can be done to prevent similar shootings, he said that is a question communities will need to answer.
A day earlier in Columbus, Gov. Tate Reeves offered his potential solutions after the recent shootings: Convince young people who are committing crimes to value life and to know that actions have consequences.
Tips can be given to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitted at tips.fbi.gov. All tips can be made anonymously.
Reporter Katherine Lin contributed reporting
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