The Attala County Sheriff's Office has arrested a second suspect in a shooting incident early Sunday morning at the Attala County Lounge near Ethel.
Kendrick Barksdale, 27, a black male from Kosciusko, appeared in Attala County Justice Court this morning on a charge of aggravated assault. The court appointed public defender Richard Carter to represent Barksdale going forward. According to Sheriff Tim Nail, Barksdale turned himself in to the Sheriff's department Tuesday afternoon.
Cory Dotson, a 28-year-old black male from Kosciusko, was the first suspect arrested in the case. He faces one count of aggravated assault in the incident, and was released from custody after posting a $25,000 bond. Although he was due to appear in Attala County Justice Court this morning, he was not present in the courtroom.
Sheriff Tim Nail said additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues, and they are seeking help from the public. If you have any information on the case, you can contact the Sheriff's Department at (662) 289-5556, or Central MS Crimestoppers at (601) 355-TIPS.
Four of the five victims in the gunfight sustained gunshot wounds, while a fifth victim sustained cuts - possibly from broken glass - according to Nail. Two of the victims were seriously injured with at least one being transported to UMC in Jackson. No updates on the victims' conditions were available early Monday afternoon.
Nail an argument broke out inside the club and some shots were fired indoors before the incident spilled out into the parking lot of the club.
Nail told the Attala County Board of Supervisors Monday morning that the club’s emergency exit was locked with a padlock – a safety violation – and those in the club needed to break down the door to escape the gunfire inside.
“It’s a wonder nobody died. That door should have never been locked,” the Sheriff said.
In addition to four different caliber shell casings indicating multiple shooters, Nail also said investigators also recovered marijuana and illegal alcohol at the club.
The Attala County Lounge was initially closed by the Sheriff for 24 hours while the investigation continued, but the Supervisors and county attorney Scott Pickle confirmed Monday that Nail has the authority to extend the club’s license suspension until he is satisfied that the operators meet all safety codes and violations.
“If they are unable to become compliant in 90 days, I’ll be back to ask you to revoke their license,” Nail told the board.
The Star-Herald will continue to update this story as it develops.
Previous report from Sunday:
Five individuals suffering from gunshot wounds were treated in the Baptist Attala emergency room in Kosciusko following a gunfight outside the Attala County Lounge (ACL) near Ethel.
The Attala County Sheriff’s department received a report of shots fired just after midnight Sunday morning, but the injured had already been transported to the hospital by private vehicles by the time deputies arrived on scene following the incident.
Sheriff Nail said at least two persons were seriously injured with at least one later transported to UMC in Jackson. The conditions of victims were not available Sunday afternoon.
Reportedly, the incident stemmed from an altercation inside the club that continued outside in the parking area. The Sheriff’s department believes there were multiple shooters, as more than four different caliber shells were recovered at the scene.
Nail said his department is interviewing witnesses and they are seeking several persons of interest in relation to the incident, but their names are not being released. No arrests had been reported as of Sunday afternoon.
The Attala County Lounge is temporarily closed while the investigation continues.
