Father, Son Killed in Gun Shop Shootout

Mississippi owners apparently argued with customers
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 25, 2016 4:06 PM CST
Father, Son Killed in Gun Shop Shootout
Customers line up at a gun counter in this file photo.   (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

A father and son were shot dead Saturday in a shootout at their family gunshop in Mississippi, apparently over a $25 service fee. Investigators say it began when two customers—Audy McCool, 52, and his son Michael McCool, 29—came by McLemore’s Gun Shop in Pearl River County to pick up a gun that had been left for service, the Sun Herald reports. Seems they argued with the owner's wife about the fee, so she called her husband, 44-year-old Jason McLemore, who arrived with 17-year-old son Jacob McLemore. But the dispute only grew worse: "During this argument, we believe there might have been some pushing and shoving," says Chief Deputy Shane Tucker, per another Sun Herald article.

"One of the customers and one of the owners produced firearms," adds Tucker. "We don't know who shot first." The result: Jason and Jacob McLemore are dead, while the McCools suffered life-threatening injuries (Michael was stable in intensive care on Sunday, but no further word yet on his father). Officials say Michael allegedly used a .40-caliber handgun in the fatal shootings, and Jason McLemore was found with a 9mm handgun unholstered by his side, WLOX reports. Apparently Audy got shot in the back, but details are scant and no charges have yet been filed. The wife, who called 911, was unhurt. "She was unharmed physically," says Tucker, per WDSU. "I'm sure emotionally she’s going through quite a bit right now." (More shooting stories.)

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