By The People’s Paper MS Staff
Imagine quiet, older residential streets bordered by Mississippi pine trees. A neighborhood close enough to the highway and the railroad tracks that residents routinely hear the hum of passing traffic and train horns. Small driveways, front porches facing the street, and open grassy lots around the old school building create a tight-knit setting where neighbors easily see and hear everything that happens outside.
This is the Goodwater Quarters neighborhood in northeast Magee, where unexpected shots rang out Sunday afternoon.
The old elementary school and the Goodwater Church mark the heart of the Quarters. Just a few blocks into the community is where Magee police are now investigating a shooting that prompted multiple 911 calls but thankfully left no one injured.
Officers responded around 1 p.m. on May 31 to initial reports of shots fired on the city’s east side. While early calls suggested the possibility of gunfire at two separate locations, responding officers quickly determined the situation stemmed from a single incident near the old elementary school, Police Chief Denis J. Borges said.
During the incident, a homeowner reportedly returned fire after allegedly being shot at. Chief Borges noted that portion of the case remains under strict review as investigators work to determine the full sequence of events.
“One person is in custody at this time,” Chief Borges said, adding that “charges are still under review as investigators continue gathering evidence.” All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Police have not released the exact address of the shooting, citing the active nature of the ongoing investigation. However, despite the alarming nature of the weekend call, Borges emphasized that authorities do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public.
Officers successfully secured the scene, checked the area for potential victims, and began collecting physical evidence shortly after arriving. Detectives are continuing to interview witnesses and follow active leads.
Anyone with information regarding the incident, including surveillance or doorbell camera footage, should contact the Magee Police Department immediately.
“This is still an active investigation,” Borges said. “We will continue to follow the facts and handle the case accordingly. We will release more information when it is appropriate and when it will not hurt the investigation.”
The People’s Paper will continue to follow this story and bring you updates as more information is released.
