16-year-old girl shot as fight disrupts birthday party

Published 11:39 am Monday, July 22, 2019

(AP) — Police in a Mississippi city are investigating after a 16-year-old girl was shot and killed after a fight disrupted a birthday party at a public park.

Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant tells local news outlets that Arykah Patrice White died Saturday night at Propst Park in Columbus before she could be taken to a hospital.

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Merchant says there had been a fight inside the building that had spilled outside. White was among people who went outside when someone shot into the crowd.

Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton says no suspects are in custody. He says it’s “too early” in the investigation to release more information and says officers are still following leads.

White’s body is scheduled for an autopsy this week.