Shooting in Myrtle started with dispute on Wall’s parking lot in New Albany

The shooting incident in Myrtle last night, Thursday, May 19, 2022, actually started with a dispute on the Walls parking lot in New Albany.

As often happens large groups of young people and their cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, etc. gathered after dark on empty parking lots for social activities. The parking lot shared by the Wall’s and several other stores on Highway 30 in New Albany is a regular location for such gatherings, as it was last night.

Young people from New Albany and other nearby communities and counties had gathered on the Wall’s lot. That is where the dispute apparently began that resulted in an automobile chase west on Highway 178. One or more young people with handguns in one motor vehicle were shooting at a car they pursued at high speeds along the state highway.

Somewhere near the Dollar General Store in Myrtle, one 17-year-old occupant of the pursued car was struck in the shoulder by a projectile fired from a handgun. Fortunately, the wound was not life threatening.

Chris Robertson, New Albany Chief of Police

Arrested several hours later by officers of the Union County Sheriff’s Department were: Landon Ray Gadd, age 17, 450 Gadd Road, Hickory Flat, and, Dylan Mathews, age 17, of 1083 Highway 4 East, Ashland. Both have been charged with felonies, including aggravated assault and attempted murder and have been booked into the Union County jail.

Late Friday afternoon New Albany Chief of Police Chris Robertson released the following statement via social media:

“I do not usually make posts like this, but I want the parents to understand how seriously I’m taking this. Last night at about 9pm there was a altercation between two groups of teenagers, from other counties, in Wall’s parking lot. It resulted in them chasing one another into the Myrtle area and one party shot at the other, while inside their vehicles. One person was hit and was treated with non-life threatening injuries. This is the Sheriff’s Department’s Investigation, and they are still working on it.

“This type of behavior will not be tolerated in New Albany and Union County. So, for the time being, no one will be allowed to hang out at Wall’s parking lot. This is private property and I have already talked to the owners. My job and the job of all law enforcement is to protect our citizens, especially our children.

“I understand that the vast majority of our young people are just looking for a place to hangout and talk with their friends. This school year is coming to an end, with graduation being tonight. I get it. I did the same thing, but I must err on the side of caution. So, the officers will be instructed to make sure there is no one hanging out in Wall’s parking lot, and if there is any trouble in any other parking lot, they will be asked to leave.”

Circuit Judge Kelly Luther set bond for both Gadd and Mathews at $25,000. They are being charged as adults. Sheriff Jimmy Edwards told NEMiss.News at 9:30 Friday evening he believes both have had bonds posted and been released from jail.

First post: Shooting in Myrtle

Second post: Two jailed in shooting