By John Surratt
The Vicksburg Post

A Vicksburg man faces a charge of aggravated assault in the Wednesday night shooting of another man during a fight outside the Klondyke, 100 North Washington St., Sgt. Johnny Edwards said.

James Jeffery McBroom 58, No. 5 Hayfield Road, is accused of shooting Billy Joe Harrison, 64, also of Vicksburg, in the chest.

Harrison was taken by private vehicle to Merit Health River Region and later transferred to University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he was in fair condition.

Edwards said McBroom was being held without bail at the Issaquena County Correctional Facility pending an initial appearance Friday in Municipal Court.

Harrison was shot in the chest during a fight that began about 9 p.m. inside the restaurant and spilled out into the parking lot. He was shot in the parking lot. Initial reports from police indicated Harrison had a knife during the fight, but Edwards said a subsequent review of the video from the business indicted no knife was shown, and the shooter held a gun on him before shooting.

He said the video showed McBroom approach Harrison from around a car in the parking lot, point the gun and shoot Harrison.

The shooting forced city officials to close the bar area of the Klondyke until further notice pending a meeting between business owner David Day and Mayor George Flaggs Jr. and Police Chief Milton Moore sometime next week. Day declined to comment about the shooting.

Flaggs took similar action after a shooting at L.D.’s Kitchen in December.

“I’m waiting on the full investigation report,” Flaggs said. “I don’t want to do anything to impede the investigation. I want to make sure it is thorough and then we’re going to set the meeting.”

He said Day will be required to prepare a plan for security at the business to prevent future incidents.

“Then we will look at that and sign a memorandum understanding,” Flaggs said. “We have to make certain that the public is safe first in the establishments, and it is the responsibility of the proprietor of the establishment to make sure they are safe for the public.”