Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Two young children were shot Thursday in a car being driven by their mother near the University of Mississippi Medical Center, prompting the mother to pull them from the car and run them to the emergency room.

Jackson Police Chief James Davis said a 1-year-old was shot in the leg and a 3-year-old was shot in the chest Thursday afternoon. Medical center spokesman Marc Rolph said the injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.

Davis said the mother told police that the shooter "put the window down, reached out and fired." Officers were searching for a person in a dark sedan with a temporary license plate from a car dealership.

The chief said officers believe the shooter knew the woman.

"It's people resolving their conflicts by pulling out handguns," Davis said. "We're talking to the mother, trying to get all the evidence we possibly can, talking to witnesses."

Employees and students at the hospital and medical school received a text alert at about 4:40 p.m. Thursday saying there was an active shooter in a parking garage. A text about a half hour later said no shooter was on campus.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the largest employer in the Jackson area, with more than 10,000 workers. Many workers and students were leaving campus when the text alert was sent. Those still at work or in class were told to remain where they were until the all-clear was given.

"Our emergency operations plan was put into place," Rolph said. "Obviously, when there's not a whole lot of information, we're going to err on the side of caution."

Several police cars blocked a main road in front of the hospital because of the investigation, snarling rush-hour traffic.