South MS party guests thought they were hearing fireworks. Then they saw blood
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- A lawsuit accuses an Ocean Springs man of shooting at neighbors, July Fourth party guests.
- The civil lawsuit was filed on behalf of 29 adults and seven children who claim injuries.
- The alleged shooter faces a criminal trial on child abuse, aggravated assault charges.
An Ocean Springs couple and guests at their 2024 Fourth of July party have filed a civil lawsuit against the couple’s neighbor, who is accused of shooting at the revelers during a fireworks show.
The lawsuit lists 29 adults who are suing 69-year-old Henry William Andray, along with wife Ellen Andray, in Jackson County Circuit Court for gross negligence, recklessness and other wrongs. Parents also are suing on behalf of nine children.
Andray’s wife was part of a civil conspiracy, the lawsuit says, either encouraging or assisting him.
Henry Andray has been indicted and also faces a criminal trial in Circuit Court on four charges of child abuse and 12 charges of aggravated assault.
The civil lawsuit, filed by attorney Christopher “Stopher” Haug of Ocean Springs, details a celebration turned bloody when Henry Andray, who lived three doors away, began firing a shotgun into the crowd. Of those involved in the lawsuit, Haug said, 11 adults and five children were shot.
“In the panicked moments that followed, chaos ensued as children and adults scrambled for safety as they realized what was apparently happening — they were, as best they could tell, being shot at by an unknown assailant or assailants,” the lawsuit says.
“Children and adults were screaming in pain and fear, as gunshot wounds became apparent and blood could be seen splattered on the porch, furniture and guests.”
Shots fired during Independence Day party
Each year for more than 20 years, William and Louise Rossow hosted a Fourth of July party at their home in the Fort Bayou neighborhood, missing only the year after Hurricane Katrina and during the COVID pandemic.
Family, friends and neighbors are invited to the Independence Day celebration. The crowd had just been treated to a fireworks display and were awaiting the finale when they heard popping sounds. At first, people thought they were hearing fireworks. But then they saw damage and blood.
“You can’t imagine the chaos and fear that ensued when people realized they were being shot at,” Haug said. The Rossows, he said, never had any warning or indication that their neighbor was upset or meant them harm.
Multiple partygoers, including children, were shot with what Haug believes was a combination of buckshot and birdshot that was up to a quarter- to a half-inch in diameter.
The lawsuit says Andray fired the shots from his backyard. His wife either encouraged or assisted him, the lawsuit says. The Andrays did not respond Monday to a voicemail message from the Sun Herald. They have not had time to respond to the civil lawsuit, which represents only one side of the case.
The adults and children listed as plaintiffs in the lawsuit were either shot, traumatized, or both. The wounded were taken by ambulance or private vehicles for emergency treatment, the lawsuit says, while first responders quickly identified Henry Andray as the shooter.
Henry Andray has been indicted by a Jackson County grand jury and faces trial on four charges of child abuse and 12 charges of aggravated assault, Ocean Springs Police Chief Steven Dye said.
The adults and children who filed the civil lawsuit are seeking an unspecified amount to compensate them for physical injuries, medical bills, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. They also request unspecified punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and court costs.
