11/06/09 - Gibson County
According to the Humboldt Police Department, the shooting that occurred around 4 p.m. Thursday is still under investigation. Those who live in the area admit drugs have become a big problem, but are shocked a man was shot.
"I heard the shot,"
said Pastor Eddie Burnett. "We came out and saw the
young man laying over there in the yard."
According to police,
the victim, Vincent Brown, 20, of Humboldt and a
graduate of Humboldt High School, was airlifted to a
Jackson hospital. He was last known to be in
critical condition.
"Vinny was like a
brother to me," said William Johnson, Brown's
cousin. Family members believe they know who shot
Brown. However, police will only confirm they have a
person of interest in custody.
According to Brown's family members, the shooter
drove around the block twice. The first time he shot
Brown, then, according to witnesses, drove around
the block again, stopped to take something out of
Brown's pocket, then sped off through the front
lawn.
Police will not
confirm or deny the shooting was gang related.
However, Johnson said his cousin did not belong in a
gang, and neither does the alleged shooter. "This
was not gang related, and I do not want people
thinking it was gang related," said Johnson.
"Whatever it was, it
was bad. It was something I have never seen in this
community before," said Burnett. He has raised five
children in the neighborhood and said it is time to
do something about the rising crime. "Our first step
is coming together as a community. We see some
things going on that we are turning our heads to. We
need to turn back and look right at the problem."
Police are asking
anyone with information about the shooting to
contact the Humboldt Police Department, (731)
784-1322.