A homeless man has been charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after allegedly chasing five middle school girls in Natchez with a pistol.

The mother of one of the girls filed a report March 9. That led to this week’s arrest of 41-year-old Aaron Thomas.

Authorities say he had fired a few shots in the air, and then he ran off.

Natchez Police Sgt. Craig Godbold said charges were filed because Thomas is a convicted felon with mental illness.

Thomas is being detained at the city jail without bond.