Arrest Made in Bay St. Louis Restaurant

Uniformed officers with the Bay St. Louis Police Department were approached by a civilian during patrols and notified of, what appeared to be, an accidental discharge to a firearm in the area of the 100 block of N. Beach Blvd. The complainant advised the initial officer that he was watching as several gentlemen were “messing around with a gun” when it went off.
Officers canvassed the area and located several subjects in front of Trapani’s Eatery matching the general description given by the complainant. The subjects were interviewed but charges relating to discharging a firearm were not pursued.
Surveillance video from the restaurant was reviewed and led officers to question an employee of Trapani’s. The employee, Mr. Joseph L. Smith, admitted to possessing the weapon, saying that it fell from his pocket while sitting in front of the restaurant. The weapon discharged when it struck the ground leading Mr. Smith to “toss” the firearm. The firearm was located between a nearby fence and the back side of the restaurant and taken into custody as evidence.
This agency has received no reports, as of this time, of anyone that was struck by the discharged round or of any damage to any nearby vehicles and/or businesses.
Mr. Smith is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.