Police Chief informs BOMA of Tuesday shooting at Fastway gas station; Flaggs says closing the store is an option
Published on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 12:46 am
- Vicksburg Police Chief Penny Jones, far right, speaks with Vicksburg Mayor and City Council, from left, District 2 Councilman Alex Monsour, Mayor George Flaggs Jr. and District 1 Councilman Thomas “TJ” on Tuesday afternoon Mayfield. (Blake Bell/The Vicksburg Post)
A shooting at the Fastway gas station at the corner of Clay and Cherry Streets Tuesday morning during the regular Mayor and City Council meeting prompted the City Council to meet again Tuesday afternoon, when Police Chief Penny Jones provided an update on the case.
The shooting was the second shooting incident at the location in four days and the second shooting to occur in broad daylight in as many months.
One person was injured in Tuesday's incident and a suspect is currently being sought by police.
“Shortly after the shooting, I met with the owners (of the gas station),” Jones said. “We've come up with a plan … some things that will help make the store and people in the community feel safer.”
Jones said the gas station owners have agreed to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the city, which will be on the board's agenda for approval at its next meeting on Monday, Dec. 16.
While details of the memorandum of understanding were not discussed Tuesday, Flaggs said the city has worked with the station's owners in the past but is not opposed to closing operations if safety at the site does not improve.
“We notified them and called them to the (police) station, right?” Flaggs asked. “And they are aware of their offense and what they need to do to improve? If not, we will use this law to close them down. You have to come in and sign this memorandum of understanding or we’ll have to close it down.”
The city of Vicksburg has recently faced complications from closing businesses after repeated shootings. The city is currently being sued by the owners of Jacques' nightclub after it was closed for months in 2023 following multiple gun-related incidents at its downtown location behind The Mulberry.
Flaggs said that if it were to happen again, he believes the law in question would be effective and legal.
“You are violating the harassment law in this state,” he said. “I know that for sure. I've seen it work in Hattiesburg. I've seen it work all over this state. That’s why we’re making everyone in this city aware of it.”
In the hours since Tuesday afternoon's meeting, Vicksburg police have issued a BOLO (Be on the Lookout) for a suspect in the shooting, 20-year-old Rashad Williams.
Jones said Williams is considered armed and dangerous and is asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact VPD Capt. Curtis Judge at 601-831-8026 or VPD at 601-636-2511.
