At least six people were fatally shot on Friday night in Clay County, Mississippi, and the suspect is in custody, according to local news outlets and law enforcement, without providing further details.

The deaths occurred at three different shooting locations, according to WTVA, an NBC News affiliate.

The suspect is in custody “and no longer poses a threat to our community,” Eddie Scott, the Clay County sheriff, posted on social media.

His post did not give a specific figure for the number of fatalities, but WTVA said six people died.

Scott and the sheriff’s department did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

“I ask that you lift our victims and their families in your prayers,” Scott wrote on Facebook.

Located in north-eastern Mississippi, Clay County has a population of nearly 20,000.

Beloved character actor T.K. Carter, best known for his role as Nauls in John Carpenter’s 1982 sci-fi horror classic The Thing, has died.

He was 69.

As reported by TMZ, the police confirmed that Carter was found at his home in Duarte, California, on Friday evening, January 9, following a welfare check.

However, there’s no sign of any foul play.

An official cause of death has not been released.

The actor’s career has spanned nearly five decades, highlighting his versatility across film and television.

His breakout role came as the resourceful cook Nauls in The Thing, starring opposite Kurt Russell. He became a household name as teacher Mike Fulton on the hit sitcom Punky Brewster and later as T-Bone on The Steve Harvey Show.

With his passing, there’s an immediate outpouring of tributes from fans and colleagues online, who remembered him for his memorable performances and enduring screen presence.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Carter.