A Forest man”s shooting death in Clay County has been ruled “consistent with a homicide” following provisional autopsy results.

Clay County Coroner Alvin Carter declined further details about the Friday death of Danelle Young, 21, of 285 Hughes Road in Forest, citing an ongoing investigation by the Clay County Sheriff”s Office. The shooting was initially reported as accidental.

Young was found in the front yard of 2579 Mhoon Valley Road in Clay County with a single gunshot wound to the chest. A .22 caliber pistol was also found in the yard. CCSO Chief Deputy Eddie Scott said the gun had been sent to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation”s crime lab to determine if it fired the shot that killed Young.

The 911 call reporting Young”s shooting was placed by Young”s girlfriend”s sister, who lives at 2579 Mhoon Valley Road. Young”s girlfriend lives at a nearby address.

Carter pronounced Young dead on the scene at 9:39 p.m.

Scott says the autopsy results have shifted the investigation toward identifying suspects, but none have been named.

“We”ve got a long way to go. We interviewed people all day yesterday. We”re wide open on it,” he said.

Several people were in the house at the time of the incident, but none claimed to have witnessed the shooting.

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