Meridian Police

Meridian police have increased patrols for the holiday season, especially at shopping centers and the Bonita Lakes Mall following a shooting at the mall Friday afternoon. 

Extra patrols will be staffed by officers getting overtime hours, Meridian Police Sgt. Dareall Thompson said Monday. 

“We have extra officers coming in to make sure shoppers and citizens feel safe,” Thompson said. 

A man accused of shooting another man in the hand during a Friday afternoon argument in the parking lot of the Bonita Lakes Mall in Meridian was arrested, Thompson said.

Jarvonta Lanier, 19, is facing charges of aggravated assault and gang activity, Thompson said Saturday. Bond was set at $50,000.

Police responded to the call around 3:30 p.m., and the victim was taken to a local hospital with non life-threatening injuries, Thompson said.

The victim was hit by a gunfire after Lanier ran to his vehicle, pulled out a weapon, and started shooting, according to Thompson. The shooting was a result of an ongoing dispute between the two men going back several years, Thompson said.

“Officers are trained for these situations,” Thompson said. “But we do have plans in place for active shooters. You never know when this will happen but if we have a situation like that we have contact with mall security and other agencies like the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department.”

Whitney Downard contributed to this report.