JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The mayor of Jackson and the Jackson police chief addressed the violence that occurred on the day of the 2025 Hal’s St. Paddy’s Parade and Festival.

Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said multiple law enforcement agencies were on hand during the parade in order to prevent an incident similar to the one that occurred in New Orleans. He said 84 Jackson police officers were assigned to the parade.

“The goal was to prevent what happened in New Orleans. We did not want that to happen in the City of Jackson. To that end and to that regard, it was a success. But at the end and after the culmination of the parade, then the foolishness and chaos started,” Wade said.

According to the police chief, there were fights involving teenagers that were streamed on social media on March 22. When officers arrived at the scene, the teens ran away, and no arrests were made. Wade called on the parents to take responsibility for their children.

“Apparently, they were unsupervised. And if you want to know what that looks like, I’m asking the parents to come to my office, or I’ll come to you. And we can discuss what happened at the St. Paddy’s Day Parade involving these kids, the youth in our community. Now, we don’t have to, but as we move forward, you can get ready for your child to graduate to other crimes in our community. So, I’m asking that we intervene now before we get to that point,” stated the police chief.

Later that evening, Capitol police said one person was killed and seven others were injured during a shooting in downtown Jackson.

The incident occurred in the area of Pearl Street and Lamar Street around 7:15 p.m. The deceased victim was identified as Cortez George, 21, of Jackson, by the interim Hinds County coroner.

Wade said he talked to Capitol Police Chief Bo Luckey and offered the assistance of the Jackson Police Department (JPD).

Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba asked to community to lift up the families of the victims in their prayers.

“It’s sad that the narrative that we have to speak to today is not about our ability to celebrate ourselves and our city but instead the violence that took place,” the mayor said.

No arrests have been made in connection to the mass shooting. Anyone with information can contact Capitol police at 601-359-3125, Jackson police at 601-960-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477).