A shooting investigation in Mississippi is raising questions about the assault charges that authorities filed against a man who reportedly defended himself from several people who attacked him near a party.
The incident happened in Adams County, Mississippi, on July 11, according to local reports.
Deputies with the county sheriff’s office were called to a scene where someone had been shot near the site of a party.
At the shooting location, responding officers located a man with a gunshot wound to the chest.
A preliminary investigation revealed that two separate altercations had broken out in which multiple people attacked a man named Reginald Butler, who was trying to cross a bridge with his bike.
Video from the initial attack shows one man throwing Butler’s bicycle to the ground before he is surrounded and attacked by at least three white men.
“It was one of the most heinous things that you could see,” said Adams County Sheriff Travis. “If you watch this video, it would make the average person who has passion in their heart get emotional.”
After the attack, Butler fled the area on his bicycle but later returned.
Later, a mile away from the scene of the initial attacks, Butler encountered a person authorities believe was a partygoer.
Witness statements revealed that the individual exited his car, confronted Butler, and then began attacking him.
In response, Butler fired several shots. One of the bullets hit his assailant in the chest and also struck the vehicle once.
Butler and the individual fled the scene. Deputies located Butler at his house, where they took him into custody. The person Butler shot was airlifted to a hospital. Authorities have not released a status update on his condition at this time.
Butler was also taken to a hospital to be treated for wounds he sustained in the assaults.
He was later jailed on aggravated assault charges.
When asked why Butler was charged, Patton told WLBT that initial evidence and witness statements suggested that the shooting followed “a series of altercations,” including Butler attempting to return to the scene after the initial assault, “which we now know isn’t completely accurate.”
“The decision to charge Butler with aggravated assault reflects the totality of circumstances at this stage,” the sheriff continued, “including whether the use of force met legal standards for self-defense under Mississippi law. All of this is being reviewed now that the video evidence has emerged and statements have changed.”
Another individual involved in the first assault, who authorities identified as Cameron Taunton, has been charged with simple assault causing bodily injury.
The investigation is ongoing. Patton said his office has reached out to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the FBI to help determine if this is considered a hate crime.
“That was a very emotional thing for this community. You can see the pain, the anger and the frustration,” the sheriff added.
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