Two shot dead at Mississippi Mardi Gras parade identified
PASS CHRISTIAN, Mississippi -- Officials have identified the two people who were fatally shot at a Mississippi Mardi Gras parade on Sunday, according to CBS affiliate WLOX.
Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove released the names of the two victims Sunday evening, according to the station. Hargrove says 29-year-old Carlos Bates and 43-year-old Isaiah Major III both died at the scene from gunshot wounds.
The bodies were found 20 feet apart, according to The Sun Herald.
Officials reportedly say that the shooting happened at the intersection of Davis Avenue and Ladnier Street. Police Chief Tim Hendricks told the station that the shooting happened about 20 minutes after the last float left Davis Avenue.
Multiple units had responded as they were already at the parade when shots were fired, according to the station. An estimated 50,000 attendees had turned out to the annual St. Paul Carnival Association Mardi Gras parade, according to The Sun Herald.
The Mardi Gras parade is typically one of the largest in southern Mississippi, leading up to the Fat Tuesday celebrations, according to the newspaper. This year, Fat Tuesday falls on Feb. 9, 2016.
According to police, four other shooting victims were hospitalized. Family and friends were at the hospital Sunday night, awaiting for news on the victims' conditions.
Hendricks told the station that no arrests were been made as of Sunday night. Police were reportedly still on the scene and the investigation was ongoing, according to the station.