Two suspects are now in custody in relation to a string of shootings that occurred over two days in Picayune.
Charged are 26-year-old Aquanna L-Monique Brown of 400 N. Beech St., and 19-year-old Brittaney L. Hill of 4508 North 72nd St., Milwaukee, Wis.
Both have been charged with two counts of drive-by shooting and one count of shooting into a dwelling, said Assistant Chief of Police Jeremy Magri.
The first incident in the case was called into the Picayune Police Department at about 2:27 a.m. Monday, and allegedly occurred at a home at the 1100 block of Clarenda Street. Magri said the complainants told responding officers the sound of five to six gunshots in front of their home woke them. The residents then heard the sound of a vehicle speeding away.
Officers arrived and searched the area, finding several bullet casings at the scene, along with bullet holes in the home.
The home was occupied by two adults and two teenage juveniles when the shooting occurred, Magri said.
That same day just before 1 p.m. the department received another call from residents on the 100 block of North Haugh Avenue that shots had been fired into the home. Magri said the complainant heard gunshots outside the home, causing them to inspect of the front of the structure and find bullet holes. One person was reported to have been home at the time of the shooting, Magri said.
The third and final incident occurred at 12:12 p.m. on Tuesday when a man was standing outside and saw a vehicle drive-by before he saw a female pull out a gun and fire several shots at him, Magri said. The complainant said he fled upon seeing the gun, and he was not hit by any of the bullets.
An investigation into the incidents identified Brown as one of the suspects, Magri said.
A warrant was issued for her arrest Tuesday. Magri said that later in the evening, just after 7, an officer on patrol saw Brown driving a vehicle down Bruce Street and conducted a stop.
Brown was taken into custody on the warrant for two counts of drive-by shooting, while her passenger was also detained, identified as Hill.
Continued investigation into the case determined Hill was allegedly involved in the crimes, leading to her being charged with two counts of drive-by shooting and one count of shooting into a dwelling.
Magri said that, so far, the motive for the shootings appears to be gang related.
Both suspects are currently being held in the Picayune Criminal Justice Center and are awaiting an initial appearance before the municipal judge.