Four killed in Mississippi horror mass shooting before school match as gunman on loose

Four people were killed and 12 injured in a shooting in Mississippi in the early hours of Saturday morning, local officials have said.

The shooting happened on a main street in the town of Leland, according to mayor John Lee, who said the town was busier than usual due to the Leland High School's homecoming game. According to the school's website, the team was due to play against Charleston High School.

According to reports, the gunman is still on the loose. The mayor wrote on Facebook: "I'm deeply saddened about the tragedy that happened in the City of Leland. Due to the tragedy and the safety of others. The block party is canceled!!!!!!!!!"

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The mayor told CBS News that four of the injured people were airlifted to local hospitals, but their condition is currently unknown. Police haven't arrested any suspect so far and the investigation is ongoing.

There have also been reports of a separate shooting in another Mississippi town, Heidelberg, on Friday night. Heidelberg Police Chief Cornell White said two people were shot and killed on the high school's grounds, and at least one more was wounded, WDAM reported.

Heidelberg Mayor Robert Barnett said: "Due to the unforeseen circumstances, the City of Heidelberg will be in full cooperation with the school district, the sheriff’s department, and we will definitely pursue the person who caused this incident. We will be upholding the law to the fullest because we can not have things like this happen in Heidelberg.

"I want to let the townspeople and people in the community and the surrounding areas know that the town of Heidelberg is a safe place. This was an unforeseen incident." Heidelberg and Leland are three hours away.