#1 killed, 6 injured in shooting at Mississippi restaurant

One person was killed and six others were injured in a shooting at a restaurant in Mississippi on Friday. 

The Ocean Springs Police Department said in a release that officers responded to a shooting at The Scratch Kitchen shortly before 11 p.m. and found seven people shot, including one person who was killed.

The department said the deceased victim was identified as 19-year-old Chase Harmon. The others who survived were transported to local hospitals.

The release states that the department does not currently have any suspects and an investigation is ongoing.

Officials are urging anyone with information to call authorities.

Brittany Alexander, the owner of the restaurant, told the Sun Herald, a Mississippi newspaper, that she was at the door of the party when the shots rang out. She said staff told her the gunman ran past security without being patted down or his driver’s license being checked, but he began firing before she could get to him. 

She said the area where the party was happening on a patio was only for people 21 and older. Security was checking everyone who entered the area and customers were given an arm band to confirm they are at least 21. 

Alexander said about 200 people were at the restaurant when the shooting happened. 

The Herald reported that a 22-year-old man was shot in the leg in the restaurant’s parking lot last month in what police have said might have been an accidental shooting. 

— Updated at 1:05 p.m.