Neighbor arrested after firing on Fourth of July party in Ocean Springs, police say

Multiple people were injured Thursday night at an Ocean Springs Fourth of July party when a neighbor opened fire with birdshot, Ocean Springs Police Chief Ryan Lemaire said.

The neighbor, 68-year-old Henry Andray, was arrested, LeMaire said. Andray faces four counts of aggravated assault, according to a jail docket. Lemaire said more charges are pending.

The group was having a Fourth of July party Thursday night at a home on Cumberland Road when Andray fired, police said.

LeMaire said “up to” seven people were hit with birdshot — small pellets delivered via shotgun shell. Birdshot is designed for hunting birds and other small animals, but can still be dangerous or even lethal to people at close range.

Four victims went to a hospital, Lemaire said. Their status is unknown.

It is unclear what led to the shooting and Andray did not give a statement to police, Lemaire said.

Andray is held at the Jackson County jail on a $250,000 bond on each charge, jail records show.