Two men killed, nine injured in Orchard Cafe parking lot shooting
By Khamari Haymer
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WILKINSON COUNTY, Mississippi (WAPT) — “Two innocent lives gone,” said Terral McDonald, owner of the Orchard Cafe.
The shooting left shattered glass and bullet holes at the cafe. Three people were taken to a trauma center, while four others were treated and released.
“That kind of put an effect on us because we work hard every day. We could not open today because I did not want employees here, and I did not know what was coming in afterwards,” McDonald said.
Officials have not revealed a motive for the shooting. Witnesses said the incident began as an argument across the street, which escalated into gunfire in the cafe’s parking lot.
“I pulled up and saw a car in the yard, and a bunch of debris and stuff on the ground. I really did not know what was going on until police said there was a lot of stuff going on in the driveway,” McDonald said.
McDonald, who has operated his business in the area for six years, said he has never experienced anything like this before. He also expressed frustration about being unable to help law enforcement identify the suspects.
“We were in the midst of changing our systems so I do not have footage of anything, and I am not sure if other businesses around here do or not, but I know something happened that shouldn’t have happened, and I am praying for our youth,” McDonald said.
He stressed the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully to prevent violence.
“When I was growing up, we fought. I was raised in New Orleans. If we had problems, we fought, and then we were back friends. These kids here that are growing up, their emotions are too attacked. If someone tells them they are ugly, they want to fight and shoot,” McDonald said.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation assisting in the case.
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