By MARCUS McCLAIN
Town Courier
The Blytheville Police Department are investigating two, believed to be gang related, shootings which occurred on the evening of Dec. 1. Two juveniles and a 19-year-old were injured.
At 6 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Lakewood. Several houses and vehicles in the area were struck by gunfire, but no injuries were reported, and no suspects were located. At 11 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 300 block of N. Hollywood due to more shots fired. They were later rerouted to the Great River Medical Center where two juveniles and 19-year-old Travis Mays, of Blytheville, were taken after suffering non-life threatening injuries.
In a press release, officers reported they believed the shootings were in retaliation to a fight that happened at the Blytheville High School earlier on this same date. Officers also believe that they are gang related and are investigating them as such.
On the department's behalf, CID commander and Captain John Frazier stated in the release, “The Blytheville Police Department is working with school security officers and the juvenile office in our efforts to put an end to this senseless violence. When we do make an arrest in these crimes, we will work with our prosecutors’ office to ensure that the offenders will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law on every charge committed! The Blytheville PD would like to stress to the public that the best deterrent to juvenile gang violence and gang activity are involved parents.”
Anyone with further information is urged to contact Blytheville Crime Stoppers at 844-910-STOP.