Shooting reported near Mississippi home of U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. Here's what we know

Lici Beveridge, Mississippi Clarion-Ledger
Updated ·2 min read
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Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., speaks during a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 11, 2021, on climate change.
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., speaks during a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 11, 2021, on climate change.
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Authorities are investigating a shooting incident that took place Sunday afternoon near the Mississippi home of U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith.

The senator and her family were not home at the time of the incident.

“An incident involving a shooting occurred near the home of Sen. Hyde-Smith early Sunday afternoon," the senator's office said in a statement. "The senator and her family were not harmed. Sen. Hyde-Smith is grateful for the concern shown by many and the good work of federal, state and local law enforcement.”

It is unclear whether the shooting was intentional or if Hyde-Smith was a target.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation also issued a statement, and asked anyone who may know about the shooting to contact authorities.

"The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, along with federal and local law enforcement agencies, are investigating a shooting that occurred around 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, near the home of Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in Lincoln County," the statement reads. "No injuries have been reported. Anyone with any information, please contact MBI at MBITIPS@dps.ms.gov. Due to this being an open and ongoing investigation, no further comment will be made by MBI at this time."

The story was first reported by the Daily Leader, who said Hyde-Smith and her family were on their way to their home in Brookhaven after attending church when the incident occurred.

U.S. Capitol Police confirmed that the agency has joined in the investigation since it is charged with protecting members of Congress.

“We are working with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office on this case to figure out exactly what happened, while we coordinate with the Senator’s Office to ensure her safety,” a Capitol Police spokesperson told the Clarion Ledger.

Hyde-Smith, R-Mississippi, was appointed to the office in 2018 after Sen. Thad Cochran announced he would step down before the end of his term expired. Hyde-Smith went on to win in the general election later that year.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

Do you have information regarding this shooting? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith MS house shooting under investigation