Last week, a video went viral of a person in Jackson leaning out of the window of a moving vehicle while firing shots at another car at a busy intersection. Now, we have new information on the situation.
According to crime officials, the video did take place months ago (shoutout to viewers and listeners who noticed the grass was still green) on October 28, 2023, around 5:30 p.m. Following the video surfacing, police were quickly able to apprehend one suspect and confirmed that no one was injured during the shooting.
“That video traumatized this city. I received phone calls from the state capitol down to a citizen in south Jackson. We were able to pin exactly when the incident happened,” Jackson Police Chief Joesph Wade said. “Honestly, to me it didn’t matter whether it happened last week or October 28, the issue is that it happened in our city and your family or my family could have been injured or hurt by somebody being reckless and lawless in our city. This will not be tolerated.”
The video’s widespread effect has quickly brought Jackson’s crime epidemic back into the limelight as state and local officials gathered on Tuesday – less than a block away from where this specific shooting took place – to announce a new public safety initiative intended to get violent criminals off the streets.
“Operation Unified” is intended to increase communication between municipal, county, and state-controlled law enforcement. Those in charge hope the initiative will result in not only an increased police presence in the capital city but also better planning among departments and agencies on who is patrolling where and when.
“To those who are using our capital city as their criminal playground, your time is over here,” Gov. Tate Reeves said. “You don’t run this city, and you are not immune to the law. We will not surrender our streets to you, and we will never – and I mean never – rest until you are behind bars.”
The identity of the person arrested has not yet been released as additional suspects remain at large. The incident is still under investigation.
