Natchez Mayor Calls in State Investigators After Deadly Shooting

Second time in three months the mayor has requested assistance from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After a 29-year-old woman was killed and a young man was left fighting for his life in a shooting in the Maryland Heights neighborhood of Natchez, Mississippi, Mayor Dan Gibson has again requested the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) to assist local police in solving the crime. This is the second time in three months the mayor has called on state investigators to help address ongoing violence in the area.

Why it matters

The Maryland Heights subdivision has experienced years of violence, with residents in the three apartment complexes in the area repeatedly suffering from this type of crime. The mayor is hoping the involvement of state investigators can help put an end to the persistent issues in the community.

The details

In the latest incident, two young people were shot while sitting in their car near the office of the Maryland Heights Apartments. A 29-year-old woman was killed, while the young man with her is now in critical condition. Last November, the mayor made a similar request for MBI assistance after another murder, which led to an arrest in that case as well as over 30 other felony arrests.

  • The shooting occurred on Sunday night, February 9, 2026.
  • In November 2025, the mayor previously called in the MBI after another murder in Natchez.

The players

Mayor Dan Gibson

The mayor of Natchez, Mississippi who has twice requested assistance from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation to address ongoing violence in the Maryland Heights neighborhood.

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI)

The state law enforcement agency that has answered the mayor's requests to help investigate murders and other violent crimes in Natchez.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Two young people were shot while sitting in their car near the office of Maryland Heights Apartments. One, a young woman who was only 29, died while the young man who was with her is now fighting for his life.”

— Mayor Dan Gibson (natchezdemocrat.com)

“For nearly two decades residents in the three apartment complexes that make up this area of our city have suffered this type of violence happening in their neighborhood. This should not be. And it is past time that this violence be put to an end.”

— Mayor Dan Gibson (natchezdemocrat.com)

What’s next

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, along with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and other agencies, have accepted the mayor's request to assist Natchez police in investigating the latest murder and shooting.

The takeaway

The persistent violence in Natchez's Maryland Heights neighborhood has become an ongoing challenge for local leaders, prompting the mayor to repeatedly call in state investigators to help address the issue. This latest tragedy underscores the urgent need to find solutions to put an end to the cycle of violence impacting residents in the area.