Suspect in custody after fatal shooting at Mississippi restaurant

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX/Gray News) - Police say a suspect is in custody following a shooting that killed one person and injured six others at a restaurant in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Authorities reported the shooting occurred at about 11 p.m. Friday at The Scratch Kitchen Bar & Restaurant in downtown Ocean Springs. Officials believe the shooting was gang-related.

A suspect is in custody, according to a press release sent out by Ocean Springs Police Department. Investigators are choosing to withhold his name for now, WLOX reports.

“At this time, the identity of the suspect will not be released as the investigation continues,” said Ocean Springs Police Chief Mark Dunston. “Detectives are continuing to conduct interviews and do not want details to taint any forthcoming information.”

The victim who was killed was identified by the coroner as 19-year-old Chayse Harmon of Moss Point, Mississippi.

As for the injuries sustained by the six other victims, none are considered serious. Only one person was still receiving medical attention as of 4:30 p.m. Saturday. All six are considered to be innocent bystanders in the shooting.

Witnesses on social media recounted their efforts to help victims as they waited for first responders to arrive. One person described holding his T-shirt over the wound of one victim and comforting a family member of another victim.

The backside of the restaurant’s bar and patio area was still roped off with crime scene tape Saturday morning as investigators continued to work the scene.

The restaurant is in a busy section of downtown, where bars and restaurants are usually packed on nights and weekends. Cinco de Mayo celebrations also contributed to the large crowd Friday night.

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call investigators at 228-875-22112 or anonymously leave a tip with the Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898. A $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.