Shooting at Holmes County Trail Ride Leaves Three Dead, Eight Injured

A shooting that took place during a trail ride in Holmes County has left three deceased and eight more injured.

According to WJTV, the shooting occured just a few miles outside the city limits of Lexington, on Highway 17 North. The incident took place near midnight on Saturday, October 19th, 2024.

Willie March, Holmes County Sheriff, reported that the shooting took place following a dispute between a few young men. According to March, after Holmes County Consolidated School’s homecoming game, a group of people went on a trail ride, when the dispute and subsequent shooting occurred.

Of the eight injured victims, some were airlifted to a Jackson hospital for treatment, while others were taken via ambulance. At present, there is no update on the conditions of the victims.

The three who were tragically killed have been identified. The deceased were identified as Martel Gibson, 25, of Durant; Shundra Chestnut, 19, of Kosciusko, and John Jenkins, 19, of Durant.

The deputies of Holmes County Sheriff’s Department are actively searching for the suspects responsible for the shooting. Mississippi Bureau of Investigation agents are assisting the deputies with the case.

According to Darkhorse Press, a vehicle was reported wrecked near Goodman, on Highway 51. The car was crashed against a tree. No one was in or around the car, but the officials on the scene reported bullet holes and blood inside the vehicle. It has not been determined if the wrecked car and the shooting are related.

More will be released as it becomes available.