Police check bus after man reported with gun

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, February 29, 2000

Natchez Police prepared for the worst Tuesday, but a report of an armed gunman said to be traveling to Natchez on a bus did not materialize.

&uot;Only thing I know is someone called from Port Gibson saying there was a Mexican on the bus with a gun,&uot; said Natchez Police Chief Willie Huff. &uot;He didn’t come to Natchez.&uot;

The Natchez bus terminal on Lower Woodville Road called local police with the information, Huff said.

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At least three police officers and six sheriff’s deputies, including five Metro Narcotic officers in bullet-proof vests, rushed to the bus terminal to await the arrival of Delta Lines 3533.

&uot;I just came to see if they needed a hand,&uot; said Major Chuck Mayfield of Metro Narcotics.

The alleged suspect is believed to have gotten off the bus at Port Gibson, and reports say he may have been carrying a gun in a bag, Huff said.

More information on the suspect was not available. Officers were unable to confirm whether the suspect was actually carrying any weapons.

He is not believed to have threatened anybody, and his carrying a gun is not against the law, Huff said.

Officers checked the bus and asked passengers to identify their baggage before leaving the scene.

The bus left Memphis at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, and Port Gibson and Natchez were scheduled stops on the route. It was expected to arrive in Baton Rouge at 6:15 p.m.

Gordon Brown, owner of the bus terminal, said he was happy to have officers at the scene. &uot;When they’re talking about guns, I&160;get out of the way and let them handle it,&uot; he said.