Crime
1 injured in shooting outside McDonald’s in Meridian
A shooting took place in the parking lot of the McDonald’s on Bonita Drive in Meridian, Mississippi, with reports indicating that one person may have been injured in the incident.
Local law enforcement responded to calls of gunfire shortly after the shooting occurred, arriving at the McDonald’s location to secure the area and assess the situation.
Upon arrival, officers discovered evidence suggesting that a shooting had taken place in the parking lot and found one individual who appeared to have sustained injuries from the gunfire.
Emergency medical teams were quickly dispatched to the scene to provide immediate care to the injured person and transport them to a nearby hospital for further medical attention.
As the investigation unfolded, police cordoned off the parking lot and began gathering information from witnesses who were present at the time of the incident.
Authorities are also reviewing surveillance footage from the McDonald’s and surrounding businesses in an effort to identify any suspects involved and to understand the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
No details have been released yet about the victim’s condition, and police have not disclosed any information regarding potential suspects or motives.
The McDonald’s location has temporarily closed as investigators continue their work, and law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
Crime
34-year-old Augusta Fireman Spencer Johnson charged in accidental shooting of his 3-year-old son in Harlem
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
A Columbia County father, Spencer Allen Johnson, 34, of Harlem, Georgia, has been charged with child cruelty after his 3-year-old son, Evan Johnson, accidentally shot himself in the shoulder with an unsecured firearm.
According to authorities, the incident occurred Thursday night when the child accessed an unsecured firearm in his father’s bedroom.
The young boy, left unsupervised, discharged the weapon, resulting in a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Fortunately, the child is expected to make a full recovery.
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
He faces charges of child cruelty stemming from criminal negligence, which authorities allege caused “excessive physical pain” to his son through neglectful supervision. He is currently being held at the Columbia County Detention Center with bond set at $10,100.
The Harlem Police Department did not initially release information about the shooting. However, as rumors of the incident spread on social media, the situation was later confirmed by both WGAC’s Austin Rhodes and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office late Friday evening.
Early Saturday morning, Harlem Police Chief issued a statement on the department’s Facebook page, stating that the case remains under investigation as new details emerge.
The Chief’s statement suggests that the full circumstances surrounding the shooting are still being determined.
In his booking photo, Johnson is seen wearing an anti-suicide smock, a standard precautionary measure taken in some detention facilities.
The incident has sparked discussions about gun safety and parental responsibility. Authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation unfolds.
Meanwhile, the Columbia County community remains concerned about ensuring proper firearm storage to prevent similar tragedies.