Man arrested in Port Gibson after openly carrying an AR-12 rifle

PORT GIBSON, Miss. (VDN) — On May 6, 2025, Chief Russell Dorsey with the Port Gibson Police Department responded to reports of a male walking near City Hall with a rifle. Upon arrival, Chief Russell Dorsey observed a male subject walking openly in the street carrying what he described as an AR-12 assault-style rifle.

The subject, later identified as Cortland Holmes, was safely disarmed and taken into custody without incident by Chief Dorsey. No injuries were reported, and the scene was quickly secured.

Further investigation by Port Gibson police revealed that a disturbance had taken place earlier at an unnamed location and Holmes then left, later returning with the weapon.

Holmes is a convicted felon, and has been formally charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Holmes was currently out on probation for a similar charge. Authorities stated tahat Holmes’ Probation Officer has been contacted.

Holmes is currently being held at the Claiborne County Detention Center awaiting his initial court appearance. The Port Gibson Police Department will continue its investigation and work closely with prosecutors to ensure justice is served.

“I’m thankful this situation ended peacefully. The presence of a high-powered weapon in a public setting poses a real threat to community safety,” Dorsey.

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Editor’s note – a typo was corrected in this story.