Mother of teen killed at The Scratch Kitchen files wrongful death lawsuit

The mother of a man who was shot and killed at The Scratch Kitchen in Ocean Springs has filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit.

Kimberly Harmon, the mother of Chayse Harmon, filed the lawsuit on August 2, 2024, alleging the actions and non-actions of Ocean Springs Police and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office led the the death of her 19-year-old son on May 5, 2023.

Chayse Harmon (Unity Funeral Home)

Harmon was one of six people shot. The other five people wounded have recovered.

Fa’Darius Williams, an alleged gang member, was charged with murder and four counts of aggravated assault in the shooting. Williams, now 24, remains in the Jackson County jail.

Ocean Springs went to court and had The Scratch Kitchen permanently closed after the incident.

In the federal lawsuit, Harmon charges that police and sheriff’s deputies prevented a nurse from administering live-saving measures to her son, did not provide any aid themselves, handcuffed him and denied him his 14th amendment rights — leading to his death.

She also charges in the lawsuit that the agencies were negligent in not properly training officers and deputies in administering live-saving measures.

As a result, Harmon charges, they inflicted emotional distress.

She is asking compensatory and punitive damages from each defendant, plus court costs.

A lawsuit represents only one side of the issue.

Ocean Springs Police Chief Ryan LeMaire declined comment. Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said, “We do not comment on pending litigation.”