Bolivar Mayor McTizic Issues Statement on Weekend Party

From the Office of Mayor Julian A. McTizic, Sr.

Bolivar, TN | June 24, 2024: This press release addresses recent misinformation circulating regarding an incident in Bolivar on the night of Saturday, June 22, 2024. The concerns of the citizens and desire for more information are valid, but as the Mayor it is more important to me to gather the facts before addressing issues publicly. Making statements without having the necessary facts incites unnecessary fear and unrest within our community. This is apparent in the controversy we’ve all seen on social media regarding this incident. Our citizens are quarreling with each other based on speculation rather than attacking the problem with correct information.

Several days ago, the Bolivar Police Department was made aware of a party being hosted by a local resident. It is important to note that no law prohibits a person from hosting a party on their own property or in their own home. However, Bolivar Police Chief Jones did take immediate steps to plan for additional personnel for that evening. At the time of the incident, the Bolivar Police Department had four (4) personnel on routine patrol, five (5) additional personnel on duty, and support from the Hardeman County Sheriff’s Department and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

At approximately 11:00 PM, officers in the vicinity of the party responded to a report of shots fired. Two (2) individuals received gunshot wounds and were transported to Bolivar General Hospital by private vehicle. One individual was later transferred to The Med. Thankfully, their injuries were determined to be non-life threatening. Minor injuries, unrelated to gunfire, were also reported by a few attendees in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

Following the incident, two persons of interest in this case were arrested in Haywood County on unrelated weapons charges. Bearing in mind that all evidence has not been fully processed at this time, additional charges related to this incident may be forthcoming against these two individuals and others upon completion of the investigation. Until such time as charges are filed, the names of these individuals are not being released.

In addition, it is important to note that the high-speed chase referred to in social media posts on Highway 18 South was completely unrelated to this incident.

While it is inherent in human nature to place blame, it is imperative to place blame where blame is due. Blame rightfully and squarely belongs to the persons who acted with reckless abandon and disregard for the value of human life when they purposely brought weapons into our city to a birthday party and chose to discharge those weapons into a crowd of people. Parties are not the problem. Shootings occur at parties, in grocery stores, in movie theaters, and even in places of worship. So let’s direct our anger, frustration, and blame at those persons committing these crimes. With the number of people present at the party, we should all be grateful and thankful that by the grace of God only minor injuries were received.

In conclusion, I commend and thank the Bolivar Police Department for their outstanding response to this incident. The Bolivar Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community. I urge the public to refrain from spreading misinformation regarding this incident and to rely on updates from our official city government sources. As additional information becomes available, it will be released from the City of Bolivar Police Department.

In an effort to offer support to those affected by this incident, we are partnering with Quinco Mental Health Center to provide free counseling services. Contact Michelle M. Guia, Director of Crisis Services, at (731) 658-6113 for more information.

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