THE DEADLY SHOOTINGS GO ON AND ON

Two teens, aged 16 and 18, are killed and four high schoolers are fighting for their lives after witness say a 19-year-old 'came in shooting' at Mississippi house party

Cameron Everett Brand, 19, allegedly shot dead two high schoolers and severely injured four at a Mississippi house party on early Sunday

 

By James Nye

 

Daily Mail

April 30, 2023

 

Cameron Everett Brand, 19, faces charges in connection to a shooting at a Mississippi house party that left two dead

 

Two high schoolers are dead and four more are in serious condition at the hospital after a teenager opened fire at a house party in southern Mississippi.

Cameron Everett Brand, 19, was identified as the shooter that fired multiple rounds after midnight on Sunday in Bay St. Louis, about 29 miles (46 kilometers) west of Biloxi, The Biloxi Sun Herald reported

A 16-year-old and 18-year-old died as a result of their injuries. Family members identified the 18-year-old as De'Arreis Smith, according to WLOX. 

In total, six students were shot and taken to area hospitals. Three were listed in critical condition and three were in serious condition in the shooting's immediate aftermath, officials said. 

Two of the victims are students at Bay High School in Bay St. Louis. Four of the students attend Hancock High School in Kiln, 13 miles (21 kilometers) northwest of Bay St. Louis.

Video from the incident showed multiple gunshots were fired in the incident.  

Police have not said what led to the shooting that left two dead and four people hurt

 

None of the victims attended Bay High's prom, which was held earlier Saturday night.

The victims were all between 15 and 18 years old. Four victims were taken to the hospital by medical helicopter.  

The house where the party was held is less than a mile from the Hollywood Casino.

Police say they arrested Brand as the sole shooter at the party. It appeared the gunman had fled the scene after opening fire as officers said he was arrested at his home without incident. 

He was charged with four counts of aggravated assault and two counts of murder. He is being held in a Mississippi jail without bail. 

A motive has not been released and police have not said what led to the deadly encounter at the home along Mississippi's coast. 

A witness said that Brand came into the home and started shooting, sending the crowd scattering. Trails of blood could be seen outside the home on Sunday.

The Hancock County School District posted on social media after the shooting: 'Our hearts are broken as we mourn the tragic loss of two Hancock High School students who were victims of the shooting in Bay St. Louis last night. Our hearts are with their families, friends, and the school staff during this incredibly difficult time. Please keep them, along with the others who were injured from Hancock and Bay High Schools, in your thoughts and prayers. To our students and staff, please know that there will be support services available at the high school tomorrow to help you through this.

'Let us come together as a community to show our support and love during this difficult time.'

The shooting was one of a few high-profile shootings in recent days, including in Texas where a man gun downed five people, including an eight-year-old. 

Francisco Oropeza, 38, allegedly opened fire Friday near the town of Cleveland, Texas - north of Houston - around 11.30pm.

 

Police investigate after a shooting left five people dead, including an eight-year-old, in Texas

 

The street where the shooting unfolded is of often unwind by firing off guns, residents say.

The neighbors - a family of ten all living together - had asked Oropeza to stop firing his weapon because they were trying to get a baby to sleep. 

Oropeza, who was known to fire his gun in his yard often, replied 'I'll do what I want in my front yard' and shot five members of the family with an AR-15 before fleeing. 

A manhunt in search of the gunman has been sparked with the FBI getting involved as of Sunday.

Police recovered the AR-15-style rifle that Oropeza allegedly used in the shootings but authorities were not sure if he was carrying another weapon, the sheriff said.