Crime
23-year-old Laurion Magee killed, four wounded in Walthall County shooting
A tragic shooting in the Sandy Hook community, located just over the Marion County line in Walthall County, Mississippi, left one person dead and three others injured early Sunday morning.
According to Walthall County Sheriff Kyle Breland, deputies responded to reports of gunfire shortly after midnight.
Upon arrival, they discovered at least three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
One victim, identified as 23-year-old Laurion Magee, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body has been sent to the state medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.
Two additional gunshot victims were transported to a nearby hospital. Authorities have not released information regarding the severity of their injuries.
A fourth individual also required hospitalization, although it remains unclear whether their injuries were related to gunfire.
The incident occurred during a “large social gathering” in the Sandy Hook area.
Sheriff’s deputies and investigators have been actively processing the crime scene, with investigators working to piece together the events leading up to the violence.
Chief Investigator Justin Dyar emphasized the need for cooperation from those who attended the gathering, stating:
“We know there were a lot of people present at the event. If anyone has photographs, videos, or any information about what happened, we urge them to come forward.”
Authorities are calling on witnesses or anyone with evidence from the gathering to contact the Walthall County Sheriff’s Office at (601)-876-3482. Additionally, a reward through Crimestoppers is pending for tips that lead to arrests or further clarity in the case.
The investigation remains ongoing, with law enforcement working tirelessly to ensure justice for the victims and answers for their families.
Authorities have confirmed that the deadly shooting at Brown University occurred inside a first-floor classroom within the Barus and Holley Engineering Building. Investigators believe all 11 victims were students.
Two individuals were pronounced dead, while the remaining victims were transported to area hospitals.
One additional victim was later confirmed to have sustained injuries from bullet fragments and is expected to make a full recovery.
According to Providence Police, the suspect fled the building immediately after the shooting, exiting onto Hope Street and then moving toward the Waterman Street area.
More than six hours after the incident, the suspect remains at large.
Officials stated that there is no interior surveillance footage of the shooter inside the Barus and Holley building.
Authorities have also been unable to determine how the suspect initially entered the building or precisely where he went after fleeing the scene.
Police described the suspect as a male, possibly in his 30s, dressed in black.
Investigators are also reviewing video evidence that may show the suspect wearing a camouflage-style face covering, though that detail has not yet been fully confirmed.
The incident unfolded shortly after 4:20 p.m., when Brown University issued an emergency alert warning of an active shooter near the Barus and Holley Engineering Building.
Students, faculty, staff, and nearby residents were instructed to shelter in place, lock doors, silence mobile devices, and remain hidden.
The alert emphasized standard emergency guidance: evacuate only if it was safe to do so, hide if evacuation was not possible, and take defensive action only as a last resort.
At approximately 5:27 p.m., the university issued a follow-up alert reporting additional shots fired near Governor Street, about two blocks from the original scene.
Minutes later, the Providence Police Department confirmed that multiple people had been shot in the area surrounding the campus.
During an evening news conference, Providence Deputy Police Chief Tim O’Hara said investigators believe a firearm was used in the attack, though no weapon has been recovered and the type of firearm remains unknown.
Police confirmed there was no direct interaction between officers and the suspect, who fled on foot before law enforcement arrived.
Authorities also addressed reports of a separate police confrontation involving gunfire several blocks away.
Officials clarified that while that incident initially led to reports of a suspect being detained, investigators have not established a confirmed connection between that encounter and the Brown University shooting.
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that no suspect is currently in custody and emphasized that Brown University officials, the Providence Police Department, and the FBI are working in close coordination to locate the individual responsible.
The Barus and Holley Engineering Building, constructed in 1965, houses classrooms, laboratories, offices, and lecture halls for the university’s engineering and physics departments and was occupied at the time due to scheduled exams.
As of the latest update, the shelter-in-place order remains in effect.
Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid the area while the investigation remains ongoing.
Officials have not released identifying information about the victims, citing respect for the families and the active nature of the investigation.