The Clarksdale Police Department is investigating a triple homicide over the weekend that has been labeled murder and suicide by police.
Police responded to a motel in the 300 block of South State Street at 2:57 p.m. Saturday on a report of shots fired.
Upon arrival officers found two black males shot and a black female with life threatening injuries. The two men were pronounced dead at the scene and the woman was transported to Regional One Medical Center in Memphis with life threatening injuries.
The woman later died of her gunshot.
The names, ages and addresses of the victims were not given as the incident is under investigation.
Police initially called the incident a double homicide, suicide and attempted murder.
This is Clarksdale’s second weekend shooting in as many weeks.
A shooting in downtown Clarksdale following the Clarksdale-Coahoma County football game Friday night Oct 21 saw three people hit by gunfire. As of Tuesday, Nov. 1, police have not reported an arrest.
Three people where hit by a shooter or shooters on the railroad tracks who sprayed the crowd at the Downtown Stage listing to a DJ. Two of the victims were treated at the Clarksdale hospital that weekend and one was taken to a hospital in Memphis.
The Saturday following the downtown shooting, the Clarksdale Police Department released the names and ages of four people – all under the age of 22 – it said were charged with aggravated assault in connection to the shooting. Then on Monday the city said those people had been released for lack of evidence and authorities are continuing their investigation.
No motive or what might have provoked the event was given in a statement issued by police. It is not known if the shooter or shooters had a target or were just spraying the crowd. It is also not known if there were shots fired in defense.
“Officers were on John Lee Hooker Drive when shots were fired during the football after party,” a Clarksdale Police Department press release said. “Three people were shot and suffered non-life threatening injuries.”
A DJ was performing and was scheduled to play until 2 a.m. at the Downtown Stage when the shots rang out at about 12:10 a.m. Saturday and the crowd dispersed.
Facebook was flooded with video of the event as the music was playing and people swayed to the beat.
Police said they had 13 officers working the football game at the school and downtown.
Aggravated assault is defined as injury or threat to a person to make them fear for their life or assault with a weapon. It is punishable by up to 20-years in prison and a $10,000 fine. An adult who assaults a juvenile can find the penalty enhanced to 30-years in prison.
Attempted murder is just that, an attempt to murder somebody. This charge is reserved for people who unsuccessfully try to kill another person. Motive is a key factor in leveling this charge at someone.
Attempted murder carries a minimum 20-year sentence in Mississippi and can result in a life sentence.
Anyone with information about either of these incidents is urged to contact police at 662-621-8151 or simply dial 911. All information given is confidential.
