The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help for information about a large private party Friday night that ended with three injured by gunfire.
The incident occurred after 11 p.m. outside the activity center of New Zion United Methodist Church on Rural Center Lane, which is off of Mississippi 13 south of Columbia.
None of the injuries were life-threatening.
According to the mother of one of the victims, the victims, all males from Hattiesburg, are 20, 18 and 17. The 20-year old was shot in the neck and was treated and released. The 18-year old was shot in the pelvis area and remained in the hospital as of Tuesday, and the 17-year old was grazed on the leg. He also was treated and released.
The victim’s mother, as well as the sheriff’s office, declined to give the names of the victims.
Capt. Pete Williams said the shootings happened outside at the activity center when a fight broke out. Alcohol containers were in the parking lot, he said.
The sheriff’s office is hoping with the amount of people at the party that someone will come forth with more information. If you have any information, call the SO at 736-5051.
The church’s pastor, Mark Jones, declined to comment, saying they weren’t sure if the shooting happened on church property. The facility is rented out for private parties, and there is a list of rules posted for renters to follow.
Pictured Above: The New Zion United Methodist Church activity center parking lot, seen here Monday, was the site of a shooting Friday night. | Photo by Susan Amundson
