Eight people arrested in connection with shooting of retired deputy Mike Ouzts

With the joint efforts of several law enforcement agencies, eight people have been arrested in connection with the shooting of retired law enforcement officer Mike Ouzts.

On Wednesday afternoon around 3 p.m., a neighbor became concerned when they were unable to reach their friend, retired law enforcement officer Mike Ouzts.

The neighbor went to the residence a few houses over. Upon arrival, they noticed the door inside the garage to the home appeared to have been forcibly opened.

Police were called to the scene and then investigators with the VPD showed up. The resident of the home was nowhere to be found and his vehicle, a white GMC Sierra, was also missing.

Around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, WLOX in Gulfport reported a person was found behind Grace Temple Baptist Church with two gunshot wounds, but alive. Sources confirmed that person was Mike Ouzts.

According to an updated report by WLOX, upon arrival to Grace Temple Baptist Church, the missing vehicle was located. Officers determined the man driving the truck was Logan Delena. Delena managed to elude police but was issued an arrest warrant.

So far it is unknown what part each played in the shooting of Ouzts, which is something Vicksburg Police Chief Penny Jones says she wants to get to the bottom of.

“It’s so weird that this has taken place and the only person who can give us more of an explanation of what has happened is the victim. I’m sure he has a story to tell,” Jones told WLOX. “I think within the next day or two we’ll probably have more pieces to the puzzle.”

In total, eight people were arrested in connection the crime.

Logan Delena, 27, of Saucier, Ms is charged with:

• Fugitive arrest for Harrison County (Mississippi) & Vicksburg Police Department (Mississippi)
• 7 counts of Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms
• 1 count Illegal Possession of Stolen Things
• 1 count Aggravated Flight From an officer
• 1 count Possession of Schedule I Control Dangerous Substance (CDS)
• 1 count Illegal Carrying of Weapons
• 1 count Possession of Firearms by a Convicted Felon

Blake Menefee, 20, of Gonzales, La. is charged with:

• Fugitive Arrest for Harrison County (Mississippi)
• 7 counts of Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms
• 1 count of Illegal Possession of Stolen Things
• 1 count Aggravated Flight from an officer
• 1 count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana
• 1 count Illegal Carry of Weapons

Susan Zeringue, 40, of Gonzales, La. is charged with:

• 1 count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
• 1 count Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II

Raven Guidry, 32, of Thibodeaux, La. is charged with:

• 1 count of Possession with Intent to Distribute (Heroin)
• 1 count of Possession with Intent to Distribute (Meth)

Elcee Guillard, 36, of Westwego, La. is charged with:

• 1 count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin
• 1 count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

Jerry Benoit, 33, of Thibodeau, La.  is charged with:

• 1 count of Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute
• 1 count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

Richard Morris, 38, Hof New Orleans, La. is charged with:

• 5 counts of Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms
• 1 count Possession of Stolen Things

Sidney Nelson, 39, of Gonzales, La. is charged with:

• 5 counts of Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms
• 1 count of Illegal Possession of Stolen Things

This is a developing story.