Hub City faced a flurry of events over the weekend, marked by five reported incidents of gun violence in the wider Hattiesburg region during a typically festive holiday period. A disturbing incident occurred on Saturday towards the early hours in northern Hattiesburg. A man, as confirmed by the local Hattiesburg Police Department, suffered a gunshot injury to the side of his head shortly after the clock struck twelve on Broadacres Drive. The wounded party is now reported to be in stable condition. Despite ongoing investigations, no suspects have thus far been apprehended.
A separate incident, occurring later the same Saturday, is reported to have taken place at a shopping plaza on the bustling Hardy Street near midnight. Gunfire at the location resulted in injuries to two men and one woman, while another woman was harmed by a hit-and-run incident. All involved parties have been reported to be in stable condition by HPD. The search for a suspect or suspects continues and the investigation remains underway.
As if Saturday was not eventful enough, Sunday proved equally concerning with a trio of troubling incidents. Worth mentioning, a manhunt in Lamar County captured public attention after reports emerged of a jeep stolen from a local Dollar General, followed by the horrific account of shots fired at a deputy from the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office. The alleged gunman, described as a slender black man of approximately 5-foot-8, remains at large. As per LCSO, he was last seen in a white shirt and black trousers.
Sheriff Danny Rigel from LCSO revealed on Monday to WDAM 7 that the pursuit was still ongoing. In the thick of the chaos, HPD was responding to another serious shooting at Bonhomie Apartments on Sunday afternoon. HPD officers discovered an 18-year-old male injured with multiple gunshot wounds to his leg at the scene. The suspect, however, had fled before authorities arrived.
That same evening, a 16-year-old presented himself to the authorities. The teenager was subsequently charged with one count of aggravated assault using a deadly weapon and one count of tampering with evidence. Simultaneously, a third incident was unfolding moments before midnight in Palmers Crossing situated in Hattiesburg. Overwhelmed by these happenings, Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker felt it crucial to make a statement regarding the surge in criminal activities that Hub City had experienced over the weekend.
“It wasn’t our finest two days,” said Mayor Barker, making clear his views on the situation. In his statement, Mayor Barker made pleas to the Hattiesburg community, specifically addressing parental responsibility. He advised, “There’s no reasonable cause for juveniles to be wandering without supervision during the night.”
Mayor Barker emphasized that while the city does provide programs to engage juveniles and reduce the likelihood of crime and mischief, it cannot bear the sole responsibility of 24/7 supervision. The onus, to a large extent, lies with parents. He stated, “Knowing your children’s whereabouts, their company, and their activities is a responsibility that begins at home.”
In addition to advising parents, Barker also addressed adults, urging them to ponder over the aftermath of their actions. He warned them to be mindful of their surroundings in order to evade getting involved in others’ misdeeds. He stated, “Bear in mind that others around you have rights, too. Your family desires you to return home safe. Reflect.”
Lastly, with an empathetic tone, Mayor Barker urged the community to strive to be better as summer heads towards its end and the new academic year approaches. He conveyed, “No one should suffer or face worse fate due to reckless decisions made by a few.”
In echoing the same sentiment, the Hattiesburg Police Department Chief, Hardy Sims, declared that anyone committing such crimes in the city would indeed be held accountable. “Hattiesburg prides itself in its safety, and we’re fervently working to maintain it,” he said, “Hattiesburg is not a hub for violent crimes. We welcome everyone for good times, but not to commit violent crimes.”
Chief Sims further confirmed that the HPD will be holding a press conference in due course to outline their proactive response plan to these recent incidents. “There’s going to be a noticeable shift in our operation in certain pockets of the city in the wake of these violent acts, so expect to see increased police presence in these areas,” said Sims, “We’re bolstering our patrol forces.”
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