Child struck by stray bullet at horse show

Marshall County law enforcement and medics responded to a shooting Saturday night around 11:16 p.m., where a child was struck by a stray projectile, according to sheriff Kenny Dickerson.

He said a horse show was underway at JB’s, a.k.a. Joe B’s Park, a short distance west of Highway 309 in the Matthews Corner area, when the county got a call for assistance.

Upon arrival, law enforcement learned a four-year- old girl had been struck by a stray projectile fired from a semi-automatic 9 mm handgun.

The child had been taken by a privately-owned vehicle to a store lot where medics had rendezvoused and then transported the child to Le Bonheur Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., for treatment, Dickerson said.

“It appeared the victim had been struck in the leg area by a projectile,” the sheriff said.

The 4-year-old was an innocent bystander brought to the event by her mother when the shooting occurred.

Dickerson said there is reason to believe the suspect may have been arguing with an ex-boyfriend when she discharged the weapon in his direction and the projectile struck the child.

A 9 mm semi-automatic handgun was recovered at the scene and is believed to be the weapon that was fired, he said

The child was treated at Le Bonheur overnight and released to her mother Sunday morning, Dickerson said.

One female, Alisha Word, 49, of the 5000 block of Pleasant Run Lane, Memphis, Tenn., was arrested Saturday night and transported to the Marshall County jail, the sheriff said.

Word was charged with aggravated assault resulting in the injury to the child, Sunday.

Word made an initial appearance at an arraignment in justice court Monday and bond was set at $50,000. She made a secure bond and was released Monday pending future court activity, Dickerson said.

Attendance at the horse show was estimated to be 100 people or more, Dickerson said.