Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker has called for community action following a violent Fourth of July weekend that left several injured. In a Facebook post, Barker implored residents to reflect on their actions and community responsibilities after two separate incidents resulted in gunshot wounds and a vehicular injury.
The first incident occurred on Hardy Street, resulting in three individuals being hospitalized with gunshot injuries. All victims were reported to be in stable condition as of Monday, according to the Hattiesburg Police Department. No suspects have been identified in this case. The second incident involved a shooting on Country Club Road. A suspect has since turned himself in to authorities regarding this matter.
Mayor Barker emphasized the importance of parental supervision, particularly for juveniles out late at night, responding to concerns about insufficient youth activities in the city. He noted that while the city is expanding its programming, ultimate responsibility lies with families. “Know where your kids are, who they’re with, and what they’re doing,” he stated.
Addressing adult residents, Barker urged careful consideration of actions that could lead to life-altering consequences. He advised against engaging in reckless behaviors such as street racing, discharging firearms, or participating in potentially dangerous confrontations. “Think about where you are hanging out, and don’t put yourself in situations where you might be caught up in other people’s bad behavior,” Barker wrote.
The Mayor encouraged community involvement in crime prevention, urging residents to report suspicious activities to the police or Crime Stoppers at 601-582-STOP.
Barker highlighted that many of those causing disturbances were not local to Hattiesburg, reinforcing his message that the community deserves better. With the summer drawing to a close, he urged residents to strive for a safer environment, stating, “There’s no reason that someone should be injured or worse because a few people made reckless decisions. Let’s have a better week.”
