Breaking (Video): Columbus Mayor’s Son Killed in Shooting

UPDATE: Columbus city spokesman Joe Dillon spoke Wednesday evening with WCBI.

He says Mayor Smith is “still in shock.”

“A lot of people’s hearts are hurting with him and he knows that and he feels it and knows it, but this is one of those things where there’s just no easy way to get through it,” Dillon said.

Below is the original story posted at 5:57 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI-TV) – Columbus Mayor Robert E. Smith’s oldest son has died from a gunshot wound.

Robert E. Smith, Jr., 39, was shot as least once in the abdomen Wednesday afternoon at his home on Temple Cove, just off of Highway 69 in east Columbus. He was taken by ambulance to Baptist Golden Triangle where he died from his injuries. He was unresponsive when first responders arrived just after 3:30 p.m.

Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant confirmed it’s being investigated as a homicide. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is handling the case. An autopsy will be performed in Pearl on Thursday.

Law enforcement has not said if they have any suspects. No arrests have been made.