Four people have been arrested in Texas in connection with a shooting that occurred at an after-prom party in Jasper County, leaving 11 people injured on April 23, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities have scheduled a news conference for Friday to release further details, and the suspects’ identities have not yet been disclosed, CBS reported.
On Thursday afternoon, sheriff’s deputies conducted a search at a residence in Newton and arrested three people with the help of a warrant. Officials later announced the arrest of a fourth suspect.
The Epoch Times contacted the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office for further comment.
The shooting took place in Jasper County, with two separate incidents occurring shortly after midnight. The first incident happened on County Road 263, where a large after-prom party was taking place. Jasper County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of shots fired and discovered that nine people had been shot, all with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspects had fled the scene before authorities arrived.
Two additional injured partygoers sought treatment the next day, raising the count to 11, as Jasper County Sheriff Mitchel Newman said at an April 26 news conference.
Laronnia Gray, Jasper County’s victim assistance coordinator, did not say if the two other individuals were injured by gunfire but said that all of the teens were “physically injured.”
It is estimated that around 250 people were present at the party when the shooting occurred. Eight were taken to Jasper Memorial Hospital by personal vehicles, while others were transported to Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont for further treatment.
A second shooting occurred within the city limits of Jasper on Valley Drive, just off Bevil Loop, which is being investigated by the Jasper Police Department.
No motive has yet been established, and the authorities have interviewed several witnesses and persons of interest.
Jasper County Sheriff Mitchel Newman expressed concern over the violence that occurred, particularly at a social event that was supposed to be a celebratory occasion for students. He urged parents to be more vigilant when hosting parties and to ensure they are aware of who is in attendance.
From The Epoch Times