The Heidelberg Police Department is asking for the public’s help in solving a shooting that took place over two weeks ago in the parking lot of a newly opened bar and grill in Heidelberg where numerous shots were fired.
According to Heidelberg Police Department Assistant Chief Cornell White, who also works part-time as a deputy with the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, approximately 35 to 45 gunshots hit and went into the metal building that houses Fly Gyz Bar & Grill where an estimated 30 people were still inside on November 6 at approximately 10:45 p.m. Bullets riddled the building and vehicles that were parked in the parking lot at the side of the establishment.
Miraculously, no one was killed or seriously injured inside the building or in the parking lot where the melee took place. One person was struck in the leg by a bullet in the parking lot and was transported by private vehicle to South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel, White said.
“It was a miracle that no one was seriously injured or killed because of where the bullets hit, especially in the vehicles. They all could have been fatal shots. Some bullets went into head rests, and some went through windshields. The bullets also went through the building where multiple people were inside,” mentioned White.
White went on to explain that a fight began just outside the establishment and led to the adjacent parking lot near the building where the firing of guns began. He believes at least up to three weapons were fired during the shoot-out. Numerous shell casings, including those from an unknown high powered rifle, 9mm, and .223 were recovered in the parking lot.
“Right now we are still trying to determine how many shooters there were, and we don’t have a motive yet,” he mentioned.
“The owner came to the door and noticed there was an altercation in the parking lot. He went back in and told everyone to get down on the floor when shots were fired. It took us only a few minutes to get there. Once we got there, we cleared the scene, began talking to witnesses, and there were no injuries reported at that time. We learned later that South Central reported a black male that came in that had been shot in the leg.”
White said the shooting investigation has been slow, with not much information.
“If anybody knows anything or hears anything, they can call Heidelberg Police Department at 601-787-3961 or call Jasper County Sheriff’s Department at 601-764-2588. They can be anonymous; we just need the information,” he explained.
“This is a quiet town, and that’s the way we like it. We hate that this happened, and we are doing our best to try and bring some kind of justice to this.”
Fly Gyz Bar and Grill owner Billy Wright declined comment last Thursday.
Heidelberg Mayor Wilbert Carr explained last Thursday the investigation will remain open until the shooters are found and prosecuted.
“I want the shooters,” he said emphatically. “I’m speaking as Mayor, and I truly feel the Aldermen feel the same way for the safety of this city. The City is not done with this because they (shooters) broke an ordinance. You cannot fire any firearms off in the city limits of Heidelberg. It is still under investigation, and we will keep it under investigation until I find out who. Then, we are going to prosecute (the shooters).”
Carr said the city and Wright have been working together since the shooting occurred and prior to that. He described the shooting at Fly Gyz Bar & Grill as “unfortunate.”
“We are working together. I told Mr. Wright for his protection to have cameras on the inside and outside at all points on his building. He’s worked hard to make sure he has all the proper licenses to operate the building, which is fine with me and fine with the citizens. He had something happen on the outside (of his building) and that’s unfortunate,” he explained. “The main thing is somebody knows, and we are asking that person to come (forward). It might be that you are friends and everything, but when it hits your family then you are going to be expecting us to do something. Heidelberg wants to send a message that we are not going to tolerate things like this.”
Last Thursday security cameras had been installed on the outside of the bar and grill.