Shots Fired At Camp Shelby For Second Time

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) – The latest on shootings at the Camp Shelby military facility in southern Mississippi (all times local):

10:20 a.m.

Gov. Phil Bryant is urging soldiers statewide to “defend themselves as necessary” after gunfire was reported for a second consecutive day near a southern Mississippi military facility.

Shortly after soldiers training at the Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center reported the shots fired Wednesday morning, Bryant said all available personnel would be used to find and arrest the suspect. The National Guard has said that the description of the shooter is the same for the incidents on both Tuesday and Wednesday: a white male in a red pickup truck, make and model unknown.

Bryant says: “The Soldiers at Camp Shelby and across the state can and should take appropriate steps to defend themselves as necessary.”

After a shooting rampage at military sites in Tennessee last month, Bryant ordered guards at all military base entrances in Mississippi armed. He cited that move in his Wednesday statement urging military personnel to protect themselves.

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9:45 a.m.

The National Guard says that as gunfire was reported for a second consecutive day near a Mississippi military facility, officials are making sure personnel know of developments and working with local authorities to find the suspect.

Shortly after soldiers reported the shots fired Wednesday morning, Lt. Col. Christian Patterson noted that the base is in the midst of a summer training exercise, hosting more than 4,600 active-duty soldiers. The training also was underway during Tuesday’s shooting.

Patterson says: “We’re making sure soldiers are aware of what’s going on so they can take the proper precautionary measures.” No service members have been hurt or injured.

Patterson says the description of the shooter is the same for both incidents: a white male in a red pickup truck, make and model unknown.

Both shootings were near Camp Shelby but not on its premises. Patterson says military officials are coordinating with Perry County authorities in their response.

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9:30 a.m.

National Guard officials say shots have been fired for a second consecutive day near a military facility in southern Mississippi, but no injuries are reported.

Lt. Col. Christian Patterson says that at about 8 a.m. Wednesday, soldiers training at the Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center reported shots fired into the air. Patterson describes it as the same area where soldiers reported gunfire shot from pickup near troops standing guard Tuesday.

Patterson says the description of the shooter is the same for both incidents: a white male in a red pickup truck, make and model unknown.

He says Camp Shelby is at a heightened state of alert but no service members have been hurt or injured.

He says the post is secure and all personnel are accounted for.