Coroner identifies victim of fatal MS Coast shooting as suspected shooter remains at large

One person is dead and authorities are searching for a suspect after a shooting Wednesday afternoon in Moss Point, police said.

Moss Point Police Chief Brandon Ashley said officers were called just after 3 p.m. to a report of shots having been fired near Joseph Avenue and Tisdale Lane. Police found a man dead inside a car from apparent gunshot wounds, Ashley said.

Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd Jr. identified the victim as Mario Applewhite Jr., 24, of Moss Point.

Ashley said Wednesday evening that he had no information on a suspect and that detectives were still at the scene at 5 p.m.

Lynd said Applewhite died of a gunshot wound. He had no other information.

This story was originally published January 15, 2025 at 5:05 PM.