Picayune Police dispatched twice in reference to gunshots being fired

Picayune Police were dispatched to two separate incidents where gunshots were fired in a span of seven hours this past weekend according to Assistant Police Chief Dustin Moeller.

Moeller said that on Saturday (August 31, 2019) at approximately 6:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to the Shell gas station at 1100 Memorial Blvd in reference to an apparent shooting. When officers arrived, they spoke with multiple witnesses who advised that a black male was at a gas pump when another vehicle pulled up. A passenger in the vehicle exited his vehicle and began to assault the male at the pump according to Moeller.

Moeller said that the male who was being assaulted reached into his vehicle and retrieved a firearm and then fired a shot at the person who had assaulted him. The person who was shot at fled the scene on foot. Officers later spoke with the person who had fled and the officers were able to confirm that he was not hit by the shot fired at him.

The person who fired the shot was detained for questioning and Moeller said the case will be turned over to the District Attorney's office.

In another case, Moeller said officers were dispatched to the 2700 block of Victoria Drive in the Ponderosa subdivision at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Sunday morning (September 1, 2019) when a resident called reporting that gunshots had been fired.

Upon arrival, Moeller said the officers met with the homeowner who stated she was inside of her home preparing to take her dog out for one last time for the night when she heard what sounded like fireworks going off. Moeller stated that the officers were able to determine that the house and two vehicles at the residence had been shot multiple times with an estimated 25 rounds being fired.

Moeller said that anyone has any information about this case, they can contact the Picayune Police Department at (601) 798-7411 or Crimestoppers at (601) 799-CLUE, or (601)-799-2583 and remain anonymous.