Texas Prom After Party Ends In Gunfire, 9 Injured

Gunfire erupted at a post-prom party in a Texas town on Sunday, killing nine people, police said.

Jasper County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a disturbance at a home in north Jasper shortly after midnight. They found nine victims with gunshot wounds that were not considered life-threatening, the local sheriff’s office said. Eight of the victims were treated at a local hospital.

About 250 people attended the party.

Persons of interest were being questioned after the shooting, authorities said. Police have not identified a motive for the shooting, but investigators said there may be a connection to a second shooting that took place in the Jasper city limits on Valley Drive. Police did not immediately release additional information about the second shooting.

There was no incident at the dance itself, Jasper Independent School District Superintendent John Seybold said in a statement to KEYE-TV, CBS affiliate.

“We first want to say that our prayers are with those injured early Sunday morning in the shooting that took place north of the city,” Seybold said. “Jasper ISD is working with law enforcement in every way we can to assist in their investigation to bring these perpetrators to justice. There will be a much larger law enforcement presence this week to ensure student safety, as well as counselors available for any student who needs your help.”

The ages of the victims have not yet been released.

Jasper is located in East Texas, about 40 miles from the Louisiana border.