Deadly shooting at Ocean Springs restaurant leaves 1 dead, multiple injured

During a Cinco de Mayo celebration at a restaurant in Ocean Springs, an occurrence of gunfire resulted in seven individuals being shot and one fatality, as confirmed by Police Chief Mark Dunston.

The deceased individual, identified as Chase Harmon, a 19-year-old resident of Pascagoula, was officially identified by Jackson County Deputy Coroner James Prisock.

According to Ocean Springs Police Captain Ryan LeMaire, two out of the six injured individuals remain hospitalized. One is in stable but guarded condition within the intensive care unit of Ocean Springs Hospital, while the other is in stable condition and under observation at a hospital in New Orleans.

The restaurant, known as The Scratch Kitchen on Government Street, was sectioned off with crime scene tape as law enforcement officials conducted an examination of the area and gathered evidentiary materials. Mayor Kenny Holloway also visited the scene. The back patio area, where the incident took place, remains inaccessible due to the presence of yellow crime scene tape. 

Furthermore, the establishment will remain closed as it continues to be treated as an active crime scene. Presently, no suspects have been apprehended, though the investigation has been ongoing since the event occurred. Individuals possessing information pertaining to the shooting were encouraged to contact the Ocean Springs Police Department.

Abranee Goldsmith, an eyewitness, shared her firsthand account of the tragic incident. Goldsmith recounted the sound of gunshots, taking immediate cover under a table, and subsequently noticing the victim struggling to breathe. Reacting swiftly, she applied a makeshift bandage and initiated CPR before seeking assistance from law enforcement. 

Demonstrating unwavering commitment, Goldsmith chose to remain at the scene even after the victim's vital signs ceased, expressing her determination to have made every possible effort to aid the individual. Notably, she underscored the rarity of such occurrences within the community of Ocean Springs.

Restaurant proprietor Brittany Alexander offered additional details, stating that the presumed assailant is believed to have scaled a nearby wall. Alexander confirmed that the deceased individual was a patron of the establishment, whereas the shooter was not. 

The restaurant's patio area, which serves as the venue for the DJ's performance, is limited to individuals aged 21 and above. Rigorous security measures, including frisking procedures, are implemented for all entrants, and upon payment of the cover charge, patrons are issued wristbands denoting their eligibility to consume alcoholic beverages. An estimated 200 individuals were present at the Cinco de Mayo event when the shooting occurred.

The incident has prompted discourse on various social media platforms, with members of the Ocean Springs community expressing shock and concern. This shooting incident follows a prior occurrence in the restaurant's parking lot, where a 22-year-old male sustained an accidental gunshot wound to the leg. 

Additionally, there have been recent incidents of shootings in different nightlife venues within Ocean Springs, including a fatal shooting outside the Kahuna-OS bar and a shooting incident outside the Ocean Springs Daiquiri Company.