A circus elephant is alive after being hit by a bullet in a drive-by shooting early Tuesday morning in Tupelo, according to Tupelo Police.
The elephant is part of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus that is in town for a series of performances. The elephant was in an area outside where the circus keeps animals at the BancorpSouth Arena. A vehicle drove past the arena and fired into the area where the animals are kept, Police Chief Tony Carleton said. The shooting happened around 2 a.m.
Ringling Bros. Circus Spokesperson Melinda Hartline said the elephant is alert and under veterinary care. No other animals or people were injured during the incident.
"We are frustrated and appalled that something like this would happen on our property," said Todd Hunt, the BancorpSouth Arena executive director. "Our concern is not only for the animals, but circus and arena personnel that were in the area. We want to assure them that Tupelo is safe and that this isn't normal or tolerated."
Tupelo Police are investigating the incident and ask the public to contact them if they have any information.
Copyright 2013 - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
