Two men, including a law enforcement officer, have been arrested after a shooting in downtown Jackson left seven injured and another dead.
Capitol Police said that 22-year-old Michael McLeod and his brother, 21-year-old Marquavius McLeod, were taken into custody Thursday. Per the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s website, Michael was a police officer for the Jackson-based academic hospital.
Both McLeod brothers are being held at the Hinds County Detention Center in Raymond and charged with first-degree murder and multiple counts of aggravated assault.
On Saturday, March 22, hours after thousands were gathered in downtown Jackson for the annual Hal’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade, gunshots rang out near the intersection of Pearl Street and Lamar Street. When first responders arrived, they found 21-year-old Cortez George deceased from multiple gunshot wounds.
Seven other individuals, none of whom have had their identities publicly released, were treated for their injuries.
“The men and women of Capitol Police, Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Police Department and other law enforcement agencies and first responders jumped all over it,” Capitol Police Chief Bo Luckey said Friday morning. “All of the law enforcement present that day and first responders did an amazing job, given the circumstances.”
University of Mississippi Medical Center released the following statement after Michael McLeod’s arrest, noting that he is no longer employed by the medical school:
“Yesterday, Michael McCleod, who served as a police officer with UMMC Police and Public Safety Department of Labor for about a year was terminated.
McLeod was arrested by Capitol Police Thursday as a part of the investigation of a March 22 shooting in downtown Jackson. He was not on duty at the time of the shooting and his UMMC-issued firearm was not used. Before becoming an officer with UMMC Police held another position with the department for about six months.
Prior to UMMC employment, he cleared all regular background checks and has had no disciplinary actions against him or performance issues.
Our condolences go out to the victims and their families. We continue to cooperate with Capitol Police in its investigation.”
Both Michael and Marquavious McLeod were denied bond in their initial appearance in CCID Court Friday morning.
The situation is still under investigation, according to Luckey, with additional arrests possible.
