6 people shot dead in Mississippi town

ARKABUTLA, Mississippi (AP) — Six people were fatally shot Friday in various parts of a small rural Mississippi town near the Tennessee border, authorities said.

Mississippi Department of Public Safety spokesman Bailey Martin confirmed to The Associated Press the killings in Arkabutla, Tate County.

Governor Tate Reeves’ office said it was made aware of the incidents and a suspicious man was in custody.

“At this time, we believe he acted alone,” Reeves said in a statement. “The motive is still unknown.”

Tate County Police Dispatcher Shannon Brewer also confirmed a suspect is in custody. Brewer said any additional information should come from Sheriff Brad Lance, who could not be reached by phone and did not immediately respond to an email message.

The sheriff told local media the murders took place at a store and two homes. Vehicles marked as Tate County Police and Search and Rescue were parked outside the store on Friday afternoon, where authorities used yellow tape to tape it off.

An elementary school and middle school near Coldwater were closed while the suspect was searched, according to Coldwater Elementary School’s Facebook page. Shortly after, a second post on the page said the lockdown had been lifted and “all students and staff are safe”.

This is the first massacre in the United States since January 23, according to an Associated Press/USA Today database. He defines a massacre as the death of four or more people, not including the attacker.

Arkabutla is located about 50 kilometers south of Memphis, Tennessee, and is home to 285 people, according to the 2020 census.