Gulfport man convicted of second-degree murder, aggravated assualt

A Gulfport man has been convicted of second-degree murder and aggravated assault.

Johnte Pouerie pled guilty earlier this week for the shooting of Lazarius Smith and to aggravated assault for a shooting at the River Chase Apartments.

Pouerie was sentenced to 40 years for the second-degree murder and 25 years for the aggravated assault.

The murder case began on December 17, 2021 when Smith was found dead near Highway 15 and Posey Bridge Road.

It was learned Pouerie and Smith were arguing over the death of a friend who was killed in April 2021.