Several law enforcement officers from different services were working at the event and responded when shots were heard around 10pm, the sheriff said.
“We believe that one of the members of the law enforcement staff fired his weapon and we believe that at this particular moment the victim who died is most likely due to the shooting involving the police officer,” Jones said during a press conference.
“We believe that the person who was dead was actively involved in the incident that was reported in connection with the shootings and the several shootings that were heard,” he added.
Jones declined to identify the officer or his affiliate. He said the Mississippi Research Bureau was called in to help with the investigation.
Those who were injured in the shooting “appear to be stable,” the sheriff said in a Facebook post.
At least two people were arrested for questioning after the shooting, Jones said.
Police found at least one vehicle, two rifles and at least one pistol believed to be related to the shooting.
“At the moment we do not know what the motive is or what exactly happened,” Jones said, noting that the investigation is ongoing.
“We will find out exactly what happened. We will find out who is all involved and should be held accountable for this very reckless incident,” Jones said.
The Mississippi Mudbug Festival kicked off Wednesday and is scheduled to run through Sunday, according to the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau. The festival includes live entertainment along with cooking and crayfish cooking contests and fun walks. This was the second year the event was hosted by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, according to the department’s website.
It is unclear whether the festival will be open on Sunday, Jones said.
CNN addressed the Mississippi showrooms and the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.
