CRIME

Man arrested for sounds Camp Shelby soldiers thought were gunshots says his truck backfires

Associated Press
Published | Updated

This Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015 photo released by the Perry County Sheriff's Department shows Alfred Baria. Authorities took Baria into custody after soldiers participating in a training exercise heard noises they believed were gunshots around the fringes of Camp Shelby. (Perry County Sheriff's Department via AP) (The Associated Press)

Alfred Baria Jr. holds one of the containers that he says he and his father, Alfred Baria Sr., use to transport hardware and parts on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in New Augusta, Miss. The elder Baria was arrested on charges of disturbing the peace and being a felon in possession of a firearm Wednesday while authorities were investigating what had been reported as gunshots near soldiers at the Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in southern Mississippi. Alfred Baria Sr. told authorities that his battered Isuzu pickup frequently backfires, and that there were no gunshots. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy) (The Associated Press)

Alfred Baria Jr. talks about charges against his father outside the shop behind their mobile home where they repair cars Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, in New Augusta, Miss. The elder Baria was arrested on charges of disturbing the peace and being a felon in possession of a firearm Wednesday while authorities were investigating what had been reported as gunshots near soldiers at the Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in southern Mississippi. Alfred Baria Sr. told authorities that his battered Isuzu pickup frequently backfires, and that there were no gunshots. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy) (The Associated Press)

Soldiers participating in a training exercise on a Mississippi military base heard noises they believed were gunshots Tuesday and Wednesday.

But the man who apparently produced the noises told authorities Wednesday after he was arrested that it only his battered pickup backfiring.

Still, Alfred Baria Sr. remains in jail, charged not only with misdemeanor charges of disturbing the peace but also felonies. That's because police found guns at his house and Baria is barred from having them after a previous felony conviction.

Baria's son said he understood concerns about military safety at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, but said he felt officials were overreacting.

Local and state authorities say they're still investigating Baria's story and haven't ruled out further charges if they conclude he was shooting at soldiers.