Meridian Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is investigating after a husband and wife were shot Thursday morning on 37th Avenue.

In a news release, Police Chief Deborah Naylor-Young said John E. Davis, 73, and his wife, 66-year-old Emma J. Davis, both sustained gunshot injuries. John Davis was airlifted to Jackson where he died later Thursday, she said, while Emma Davis remained in critical condition at a local hospital Friday afternoon.

“Innocent people are losing their lives over gang violence here in the city of Meridian,” Naylor-Young said in the release. “Those who are constantly terrorizing this city and taking innocent lives will be dealt with the harshest penalty available.

“Meridian Police Department investigators are working around the clock to bring justice to this family as well as all other families of violent crimes here in the city of Meridian,” she said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Meridian Police Department or East Mississippi Crime Stoppers at 855-485-8477.

Remains

In a separate incident, MPD Sgt. Dareall Thompson said skeletal remains were discovered Thursday at an empty house in the 2600 block of 23rd Avenue. The remains have been turned over to the Mississippi Crime Lab to be identified, he said.