Jackson Free Press

During this morning's Comstat meeting, Jackson Police Department officers were still gathering information about a 16-year-old Wingfield High School student who police took into custody after he allegedly discharged his in the school bathroom this morning.

Jackson Police Department Public Information Officer Colendula Green said three males were in the restroom when the suspect accidently fired the gun without causing any injuries. Assistant Police Chief Lee Vance said officers were investigating the situation and the suspect was likely trying to sell the gun to his peers when he allegedly fired it .

After questioning the suspect, police took him to the Raymond Detention Center and charged him as an adult with two felonies: possession of a firearm on school property and discharging a firearm on school property.

Green said any time a juvenile is charged with a felony, the minor is tried as an adult and sent to Hinds County Jail.

About 25 JPD Police Academy recruits attended this morning's meeting. The new recruits passed the police entrance exam and will join the force by the end of the month. The department has also hired four experienced officers.

Citywide, the department reported a 20 percent decrease in property crimes for the week ending Feb. 6 with 143, down from 181 the previous week. Property crimes show a slight increase from 137 for the same week last year.

Car and house burglaries were among the highest property crimes, but both statistics declined from the previous weeks' totals. The department reported 33 auto burglaries last week (down from 56 the previous week and 81 last year) and 62 house burglaries (down from 75 the previous week but increasing from 35 for the same week last year).

The department also reported 16 total violent crimes for the week compared to 23 in both the previous week and for the same week last year.