The patrons, also a father and son, visited the store to pick up a firearm that was dropped off earlier for repair. It’s reported they became upset after finding out it wasn’t ready and that there would be a $25 service fee, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office said, per WDSU.
Jason A. McLemore, 44, and his son Jacob Edward McLemore, 17, were killed in the shooting at the McLemore Gun Shop, said Pearl River County Deputy Coroner Albert H. Lee, The Sun Herald reports. Both died from multiple gunshot wounds.
The elder McLemore was the shop’s owner.
Customers Audy McCool, 64, and his son Michael, 29, sustained injuries in the shooting and remained hospitalized in stable condition on Monday, said Shane Tucker, chief deputy with the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department, WTVA reports. He declined further comment, and officials at University Medical Center in New Orleans were unable to provide an update on Michael McCool. He had previously been reported in intensive care.
The shooting occurred about 3 p.m., according to The Sun Herald.
When the McCools stopped by to pick up the firearm, an argument erupted regarding the $25 fee. Jason McLemore’s wife was working at the shop and she called her husband, who arrived with their son, Tucker said. The argument escalated into the shooting.
The event happened quickly and was probably over within 15 seconds or so, Tucker told The New York Daily News.
Criminal charges have yet to be filed because authorities are still trying to determine what happened during the shootout, Tucker said.
“There’s a lot of work to do before we start looking at charges and what charges are fitting,” he told the Associated Press, per WTVA.
On arrival at the McLemore Arms shop, police found both McLemores dead on the floor. Michael McCool, suffering serious gunshot wounds was next to them. Audy McCool, 64, also received life-threatening injuries but was able to walk and talk to officers, Tucker said, per the Daily News.
Deputies allege the McCools used a different weapon than the one that was at the shop. They also allege that Michael opened fire with a .40-caliber pistol, WLOX-TV reported.
The Daily News reports that four handguns and a knife were found at the scene, officials say. It remains unclear who fired the fatal shots.
Autopsies are scheduled for both McLemores, said Pearl River County Coroner Derek Turnage. Those autopsies will be completed by Tuesday at the earliest, he said, according to WTVA.
