Shooting spree leaves 6 dead in Tate County, Miss.

A Friday shooting spree in Tate County, Mississippi, has left six people dead, according to state officials. The suspected shooter is in custody.

The shootings all happened within Arkabutla, a small, unincorporated community about 20 miles south of the Mississippi-tennessee border on the south side of Arkabutla Lake. Residents on Friday described the area as having a small-town feel and said tragedies like this do not regularly happen. According to the most recent census data, the town is home to fewer than 300 residents.

The Tate County Sheriff’s Department on Friday afternoon identified the suspect as Richard Dale Crum, 52, of Arkabutla. He has been charged with first-degree murder and other charges are likely, the department said on Facebook. Crum is being held without bail in the county jail.

None of the victims had been identified by authorities as of Friday afternoon.

“We are in the very early stages of the investigation so we can only release a limited amount of information,” the department said.

As of 4:30 p.m. Friday, Tate County sheriff’s department employees remained at multiple crime scenes.

Shooting victims were found at at least three different locations, including outside a store on Arkabutla Road, inside a home on Bend Road and inside a home on Arkabutla Dam Road, according to TV station WMC.

Gov. Tate Reeves posted on social media he had been briefed on the shootings and said at this time, it is believed the shooter acted alone. A motive is unknown, he said.

“Please pray for the victims of this tragic violence and their families at this time,” he said.

A man was also found with nongunshot wound injuries at one of the places a shooting victim was located, according to WMC.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation has been called in to assist with the investigation. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also providing assistance.

According to an Associated Press/ USA Today database, the incident is the first mass killing in the U.S. since Jan. 23. A mass-killing is defined as one that leaves four or more people dead, not including the perpetrator.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

LUCAS FINTON / THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL Investigators are combing through this Arkabutla house where four bodies were found. The shooting spree left six people dead, authorities said. The suspected shooter is in custody.