Cortez George Obituary, Death;- Bailey Martin, the press secretary for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, reported that a shooting in Downtown Jackson on Saturday, following the Hal’s St. Paddy’s Day Parade, resulted in one fatality and seven injuries.
Martin stated that Capitol Police were dispatched to the scene at the intersection of Pearl and Lamar streets at 7:16 p.m. on Saturday. All eight individuals affected by the incident suffered gunshot wounds, with one of them sustaining fatal injuries.
The Hinds County Coroner identified the deceased as 21-year-old Cortez George, who succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds sustained in the vicinity of Lamar and Pearl Street. According to Martin, one of the seven individuals who survived is in critical condition, although their identities have not been disclosed.
As of the time of this report, authorities have not provided any details regarding the circumstances that led to the shooting, which is currently under investigation by Capitol Police. “Given that this is an open and ongoing investigation, we will not be making any further comments at this time,” Martin stated.
This incident occurred nearly two years after two individuals were fatally shot just a few blocks from the parade while attempting to intervene in a domestic dispute. The perpetrator was subsequently sentenced in relation to the 2023 event. Anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to Capitol Police at 601-359-3125.
Additionally, a Jackson Fire Department employee confirmed that another shooting took place near the intersection of Capitol Street and West Street a few hours after the parade concluded. The employee indicated that the victim appeared to have been struck by a small-caliber bullet but was expected to survive.
Capitol Police Chief Bo Luckey informed the Clarion Ledger that the victim at Capitol and West streets was connected to the larger incident at Pearl and Lamar streets. JPD’s Public Information Officer Tommie Brown mentioned that he had received reports of two separate incidents downtown, but neither was related to the West Street shooting.
