Cruisin’ The Coast spectator shot in crowd on U.S. 90 roadside in Biloxi, witnesses say
A spectator at Cruisin’ The Coast was shot on the roadside around 9:30 Wednesday night on the southeast corner of U.S. 90 and Rodenberg Avenue by a motorist who jumped from his vehicle and appeared to be aiming at someone in another car, witnesses told the Sun Herald.
The man appeared to be the only person injured in a crowd of bystanders lining both sides of the highway to watch Cruisers and other traffic stream past.
Floyd Wigley of Petal said he was standing on a hill on the northwest corner of U.S. 90 and Rodenberg when he saw a man jump from a car on Rodenberg and heard what he thought was an engine backfire. Wigley realized the man was shooting when he saw fire coming from the muzzle of a gun.
Witnesses said the man with the gun appeared to be shooting into a car that then turned east onto U.S. 90. The shooter jumped back in his car and followed, they said.
Two other witnesses said they heard 10 to 15 shots. Only one Cruisin’ spectator appeared to be hit. Witnesses said the injured spectator was shot in the chest.
Biloxi police chasing leads in shooting
The Biloxi Police Department sent out a news release at 9:15 a.m. Thursday that said the injured man, who is not being identified, was taken to the hospital in serious but stable condition.
No suspects have been identified in the shooting, Biloxi Police Capt. Brian Dykes said, but three investigators are working the case.
Police officers were interviewing witnesses at the scene after the shooting.
“A preliminary investigation determined the victim was an innocent bystander and not involved in the shooting,” the news release said. “Several hours later, a male gunshot victim entered a local area hospital with a non-threatening gunshot wound. It is unknown at this time if that individual was involved in the incident.”
Police believe the second victim was involved in the gunfight with the shooter, Dykes said.
Nurses nearby step up to help
A nurse in the crowd rushed up to help the injured spectator, who was joined by a second nurse, said Jeff Welter, who was in town for the day from New Orleans and was among the Cruisin’ bystanders. Welter said the nurse asked him to elevate the man’s legs.
“I did what she said to do,” Welter said. He said the nurse talked to the injured man reassuringly and asked him questions so he would stay alert until paramedics arrived.
Wigley said a friend of his applied pressure to the man’s chest to help stop the bleeding.
The injured man was awake and talking, Welter said.
“He was joking around quite a bit,” Welter said. “He had a good sense of humor about it all. You could tell he was in pain and shock.”
Cruisin’ has grown over the past 25 years into the largest event in Mississippi, stretching over eight days this year and drawing thousands of antique and classic car owners, plus spectators.
This story was originally published October 7, 2021 at 12:55 AM.
