JACKSON, Miss.—A Jackson night club’s operations are suspended indefinitely while police investigate a mass shooting that broke out during a Halloween celebration on Sunday, killing two people—one a Jackson State University student—and injuring six more, including four other students.
JSU will hold a vigil for the victims at 6 p.m. on Monday on the Administration Tower Lawn.
“As our Jackson State University community continues to process the tragic off-campus incident, our hearts remain devastated for our students who were victims of this violence, including the family of one of our students who succumbed to injuries at the scene. In moments like this, JSU will lean on one another and embody what it means to be family,” Jackson State University said on its Facebook page.
A group of young people was gathered on the dance floor at Hideaway nightclub when two unidentified men in ski masks entered the club; one of the men produced a handgun and began shooting into the crowd, Jackson Police Department said in a press release. High-powered rifles were also used in the shooting, Jackson Police Chief RaShell Brackney said at a Nov. 2 press conference.
The press release identified the two who died at the scene: Lovdia Poindexter, 20, and Jada Henderson, 18. Henderson was a JSU student, the university told the Clarion Ledger. The surviving victims of the shooting include four female victims (ages 18, 18, 19 and 20) and two male victims, aged 19 and 20. Two remain hospitalized.
“No one should have to fear for their life while enjoying an evening out,” Jackson Mayor John Horhn said in a statement Sunday, expressing sympathy for the victims and witnesses of the shooting.
It is the second deadly shooting at Hideaway nightclub this year, with the other occurring in their parking lot on May 17. Deville Plaza, where Hideaway is located, upgraded its security measures following the May 17 incident, WAPT reported.
“I have directed the City Attorney to explore all available legal options to have this property declared a public nuisance and pursue its closure,” Jackson Mayor John Horhn said in a Sunday press release. “We will follow the legal process, but we will not look the other way when repeated violence puts lives at risk.”
Brackney alleged that an unnamed Memphis promoter involved in organizing the event has now seen three shootings at his events this year, including the May 17 incident at Hideaway and another incident at a trail ride event in June.
“We see a pattern there of irresponsibility around their promotion and securing their events,” Brackney said at the Nov. 2 press conference. “We’ll look at that overall, and (see) what is the responsibility of any promoter for … safety at their events.”
It is unlikely that the shooters were able to enter due to assumptions that they were in Halloween costumes, Brackney said, because their rifles were allegedly not concealed. The exact models of the gunman’s weapons will be determined by ballistic analysis, Brackney said.
JPD is asking that anyone with videos or photos that might help their investigation reach out to them. The FBI is also involved in investigating the shooting, Brackney said.
Jackson State University canceled undergraduate classes on Monday and Tuesday. Graduate-level classes are continuing remotely.
Academic offices, administrative offices and the Lottie W. Thornton Early Childhood Center will remain open, WAPT reported. Counseling services are available to affected JSU students at Latasha Norman Center for Counseling Services, Employee Assistance Program, Quality Care and the UMMC UNITE Clinic.
“Our deepest prayers, love, and strength go out to our impacted students, their families, and everyone carrying the weight of this heartbreaking news,” Jackson State University President Dr. Denise Jones Gregory said in an email sent to all JSU students Sunday, WLBT reported.
“When tragedy hits our students, it hits all of us. I share in the profound sorrow, concern, and pain that so many of you are feeling right now.”
The motives for the shooting are unclear, JPD said in their press release. No arrests have been made.
Hideaway nightclub owner Weldon Vineyard III could not be reached for comment.
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