Mother and two teenagers arrested in connection to shooting on MS Coast, authorities say

Two teenagers and their mother were arrested Tuesday in connection to a shooting in Gulfport that left two people injured, police said.

Gulfport Police were called at 4:22 p.m. to the 3900 block of Ponderosa Drive after a report of a shooting, authorities said in a news release. Police said two people were hit by gunfire and brought to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Romario Carter, 17, and a 14-year-old suspect are facing five counts of aggravated assault and one count of tampering with physical evidence. Their mother, Rometria Coleman, 34, faces one count of hindering prosecution.

Police said the teenagers had previously argued with another person and that the shooting occurred when that person arrived at the teenagers’ home. Coleman denied her sons fired, according to police, and told them not to cooperate with authorities. A search of the home found several firearms, the news release said.

Carter, the 14-year-old and Coleman are being held in the Harrison County jail.

Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Gulfport Police Department at 228-868-5959 or Mississippi Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.

This story was originally published March 5, 2025 at 9:45 AM.