CLAY COUNTY – Less than a week after five people were injured in a shooting at a bonfire on Cousins Road, Sheriff Eddie Scott said investigators are still sorting through a growing list of other offenses connected to the event, including an assault, a stolen all-terrain vehicle and possible permit violations.
“We’re not through,” Scott told The Dispatch. “We actually had people coming in (Friday) still filing reports.”
No arrests have been made yet, Scott said, but aggravated assault charges are being considered for five persons-of-interest in connection to the shooting.
“None of them were from our county, so we’re having troubles basically getting witnesses because the majority of witnesses weren’t even from here,” Scott said.
The shooting happened shortly after midnight Sunday at the Bottom World bonfire on the west side of the county. Scott estimates between 2,000 and 3,000 people were at the event, which charged a $20 entry fee.
Scott said two groups in an “ongoing feud” opened fire at each other in the crowd. Among the five injured, at least four were bystanders. Three vehicles were damaged by the gunfire.
“All that shooting you’d be seeing in Columbus and Noxubee County and all that, it’s their feuding they’ve got going on,” he said. “They drug it over here in our county. It’s just an ongoing cycle of violence with that bunch.”
Describing the event as a “free-for-all,” Scott said there are several cases included in the scope of the investigation, including an alleged assault of a 17-year-old girl, a stolen ATV and “intermittent gunfire” that went “unaddressed by security” throughout the night. No arrests have been made in any incident.
On-site security hired for the event struggled to control the crowd, Scott said, even making an unsuccessful attempt to shut down the live musical performances. First responders initially struggled to access the scene due to the crowd and vehicle congestion, which also prevented someone who suffered a seizure from receiving medical attention.
Scott said the county ordinance for such events requires an on-site medical tent capable of providing immediate life-saving care until EMTs can reach the scene.
“These are just life-saving things that (are) built into the ordinance,” Scott said. “It’s not about trying to be hard on them. It’s about being able to protect the public. They’re supposed to be having a good time and not worrying about something happening to them.”
Scott said investigators are speaking with Que Brownlee, owner of Bottom World, to “hammer out the violations” that allegedly occurred. While it appears there was a permit issued for the event, “there (are) some issues with the way they got the permit,” Scott said, that are still under investigation.
For the time being, the sheriff’s office is not issuing permits for bonfires, trail rides or large outdoor events. On Monday, Scott will “present the facts” of the incident to the Clay County Board of Supervisors on Monday, who will then make a decision as to when permits will continue to be issued.
“The safety of all Clay County citizens is first and foremost above any money-making events,” Scott said in a press release issued Friday.
The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at (662) 494-2896 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at (800) 530-7151.
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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