Another man arrested in pellet shootings

Published 12:00 am Friday, July 6, 2007

NATCHEZ — A second man was arrested Thursday on charges of shooting out windows around town with a pellet gun.

Oscar Kendrick Porter, 20, 74 Village Square Apartments, was charged with nine counts of felony malicious mischief.

Porter joined Anthony D. Tenner, 19, 2139 Second St., who was arrested Monday.

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The two allegedly rode together, shooting out windows of buildings, homes and vehicles because they were bored, Natchez Police Department’s Sgt. Craig Godbold said Thursday.

Police have received roughly 80 complaints of windows shot out with a pellet gun since late May.

“They were just riding around, shooting windows,” Godbold said. “They took turns shooting.”

After police questioned Tenner, he said Porter had participated, too, Godbold said.

“They said they were out of school and didn’t have anything to do,” he said.

After investigation, police have ruled out the two men’s participation in about 20 of the 80 reports because windows were damaged by rocks, not pellets, Godbold said.

Felony malicious mischief, or any damage worth more than $500, carries a penalty of up to a $10,000 fine and/or jail time, plus restitution, Godbold said.

Police are also looking at misdemeanor charges — crimes with smaller damage costs — the two might have committed.

“We want to make sure everybody gets restitution,” Godbold said. “We want to make sure the people get their money back. We’re waiting for victims to provide us with damage estimates.”

Tenner was arrested Monday after an officer pulled him over and found pellets and a pellet gun in his car.

Godbold said Porter was likely the last suspect they would arrest in connection with the damaged windows.

“(The car) didn’t have room for more than two people,” Godobld said. “We don’t have any reason to believe anyone else was involved at this time.”

The two were held in city jail Thursday night on $40,000 bond each.