Samuel Jerome Andrews, 71, of Harrison County, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of shooting into a crowd after a deadly shooting Monday at an AT&T store on Crossroads Parkway in Gulfport, Mississippi. Killed were 31-year-old store employee Shane Basquill and 78-year-old customer Mary Anne Oberlies. Andrews is being held without bond on the murder charges.
A South Mississippi community is mourning after a shooting at a Gulfport AT&T store left an employee and a customer dead — and left investigators still searching for a motive.
The Victims
Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer identified the victims as 31-year-old Shane Basquill, an AT&T employee from the Kiln, and 78-year-old Mary Anne Oberlies, a customer from Gulfport. Both were killed in Monday’s shooting at the Crossroads Mall AT&T store.
What Happened
According to an eyewitness inside the store, Andrews pulled up to the curb outside the AT&T location in a truck, exited carrying what appeared to be a shotgun, and walked toward the entrance. As Basquill attempted to lock the door, the witness said, Andrews fired before the door could be secured.
Gulfport Police Department Commander Greg Peleaz identified the suspect as 71-year-old Samuel Jerome Andrews of Harrison County. Peleaz said responding officers spotted Andrews’s vehicle fleeing the scene and conducted a traffic stop. Andrews was taken into custody without incident, and a firearm was recovered.
Charges and Detention
Andrews faces two counts of first-degree murder and one count of shooting into a crowd. He was transported to the Harrison County Adult Detention Center, where, according to Judge Albert Fountain, he is being held without bond on the murder charges and on a $500,000 bond for the shooting into a crowd charge.
Investigation Ongoing
Investigators later executed a search warrant at Andrews’s home on Five Oaks Drive as they continued gathering evidence and working to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Neighbors described Andrews as a strange, often combative person, though authorities have not connected any specific history to the shooting itself.
Authorities have not released a confirmed motive. Coroner Switzer said officials are not aware of any relationship between Andrews and either victim. Investigators say they are continuing to examine evidence and determine whether additional charges could be filed.
For related coverage of a criminal assault case, read the Sharonville assault charges report.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the Gulfport Police Department at 228-868-5959 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898.
