NATCHEZ — A 23-year-old male was pronounced dead early Saturday morning after he and another gunshot victim arrived at the Merit Health emergency room.

Natchez Police Chief Walter Armstrong said one of his officers was working on a separate call at the hospital when the vehicle with the victims arrived at the hospital emergency room at approximately midnight.

Armstrong said both the driver and the only other passenger in the vehicle had gunshot wounds. The passenger, Scottie Rodger, 23, was pronounced dead at the hospital Armstrong said. The driver, Curleshia Knight, was transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson with what appeared to be non-life-threatening injuries, Armstrong said.

Adams County Coroner James Lee said he pronounced Rodgers dead at 12:25 a.m. Saturday.

Initially, Lee said the death resulted from an incident on Minor Street.

Armstrong said that his officers have since determined the victims were shot on Frazier Street.

“We don’t know the motive,” Armstrong said. “What I can tell you is that there were a lot of drugs in the vehicle (that was driven to the hospital.”

Armstrong said his officers continue to work the investigation and have the names of some people they want to talk to.

“We are in search of two individuals,” Armstrong said. “It is a very active investigation and we are following several leads.”

“We are asking anyone who has knowledge of the shooting and of the suspects involved to contact Crime Stoppers or the Natchez Police Department,” Armstrong said.

Crime Stoppers can be reached at 601-442-5000 and the Natchez Police Department can be reached at 601-445-5565.

Armstrong said Rodgers’ death is the second gunshot homicide in the city this year.

Lee said the incident is tragic for the community.

“The horrors of last year are still fresh in my memory, but I pray to God that the shooting and killing stops,” Lee said. “My deepest sympathy to these families.”