Full Breakdown
Shooting at Gulfport AT&T Store Leaves Two Dead, Suspect in Custody
9/8/2026, 3:41:39 AM
Core Incident
On Monday morning, gunfire erupted inside an AT&T retail location on Crossroads Parkway in Gulfport, Mississippi. Police were dispatched to the 15,000-block of Crossroads Parkway at approximately 11:14 a.m. after callers reported that a suspect had entered the store and opened fire, striking multiple people. Emergency responders found an employee and a customer with fatal gunshot wounds; both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Victims and Suspect Details
Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer identified the deceased as 31-year-old Shane Basquill of Kiln, an employee at the store, and 78-year-old Mary Anne Oberlies of Gulfport, a customer. The suspect was later identified as 71-year-old Samuel Jermone Andrews of Harrison County. Officers recovered a firearm from Andrews after stopping his vehicle as it fled the scene. Andrews is being held at the Harrison County Adult Detention Center without bond on two counts of first-degree murder and on a $500,000 bond for one count of shooting into a crowd, as set by Judge Albert Fountain.
Law-Enforcement Response
The Gulfport Police Department reported that officers located Andrews’ vehicle shortly after the shooting, conducted a traffic stop, and took the suspect into custody without incident. Police confirmed that a gun was recovered during the stop. The department has asked the public to contact investigators with any information and provided the contact numbers for the Gulfport Police Department and Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses. No motive for the attack has been released, and officials have not disclosed additional details about the suspect’s background or possible connections to the victims.
Community Impact and Next Steps
Local officials emphasized the seriousness of the incident and the need for community cooperation as the case proceeds through the criminal justice system. The incident has heightened concerns about public safety in commercial areas, and law-enforcement agencies continue to monitor the situation while seeking further leads.
