Southaven man who shot ex-girlfriend and her son in Gulf Park Estates sentenced to 15 years

JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) – Authorities announced Wednesday that Michael Carl Rinehart, 44, of Southaven, was found guilty and sentenced Monday for a 2021 drive-by shooting in Gulf Park Estates.

In November 2021, Rinehart’s ex-girlfriend allowed him to stay with her in Ocean Springs days before the crime. The couple, who had a two-year-old son, had not been together in more than a year. Rinehart fell on hard times in the Memphis area and his girlfriend believed she could help him turn his life around.

Sometime after moving in, Rinehart became aggressive toward her and she asked him to leave. On November 19 and 20, Rinehart sent her messages threatening to kill her and then himself.

On Nov. 20, Rinehart drove her SUV to her home around 12:30 p.m. While she and her son were sitting on the front porch, Rinehart fired four shots from her vehicle. The bullets hit the ground and no one was injured.

Rinehart then sent text messages blaming his ex-girlfriend for the situation and denying he had tried to shoot anyone. He later led police on a chase in Alcorn County, where he was arrested.

District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath issued the following statement:

Judge Keith Miller sentenced Rinehart to 30 years in prison, of which 15 years are suspended, for a total of 15 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The suspended portion will be served under post-release supervision.

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