Greenwood mass shooter in custody

Police in Greenwood, Mississippi, have a suspect in custody for the Oct. 24 mass shooting that left two dead and eight others wounded.

Although police would not release his name, Deputy Chief Marvin Hammond Sr. of the Greenwood Police Department did say the suspect is a black male about 26 years old.

Hammond indicated that the suspect will be arraigned Friday afternoon in the city’s municipal court. The charges will likely include two counts of murder, eight counts of aggravated assault as well as a firearm possession charge as a felon. Hammond said the suspect is currently on parole; however, he could not immediately provide details on the previous charge. The weapon used was an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle.

The two people killed are siblings, Jonathan Pitts, 42, and his sister Katrina Pitts, 41, both of Chicago, who were in town for the funeral of their grandmother. The shooting occurred at a gathering after the funeral.

Those who survived the shooting have mostly been treated and released, Hammond said.

Police will release the suspect’s name once he has been formally charged.