Ferriday man shot outside bar

Published 12:00 am Monday, March 20, 2000

A Ferriday, La., man was shot late Sunday night outside a Natchez bar but police still aren’t sure why it happened.

Richard C. Paul Jr., 28, was shot once in the abdomen shortly before 10 p.m. outside the Natchez Under-the-Hill Saloon on Silver Street.

Paul was transported to Natchez Community Hospital where he was undergoing surgery late Sunday.

Email newsletter signup

Using a description of the assailant’s vehicle, police arrested Jerry Cupit, 50, of 320 Main St., shortly after the incident. He was charged with aggravated assault and was being held with no bond pending arraignment.

&uot;Paul had just walked out of the bar as Jerry drove up and allegedly shot him,&uot; said Natchez Police Chief Willie Huff, who wouldn’t speculate on a motive.

&uot;We don’t know yet,&uot; Huff said. &uot;It’s still under investigation.&uot;

Huff said Cupit and Paul were &uot;acquainted.&uot; Police recovered a weapon during Cupit’s arrest, but Huff wouldn’t say what type it was.