| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 6788 | 2008-01-29 | Statewide | Suspect in Random US 165 Shootings Quickly Apprehended by Trooper |
| LOUISIANA STATE POLICE COURTESY LOYALTY SERVICE News Release January 29, 2008 Suspect in Random US 165 Shootings Quickly Apprehended by Trooper At approximately 12:30 this afternoon, Louisiana State Police – Troop F received a motorist’s report of a shooting on US 165, between Columbia and Monroe. The motorist advised that a white male, who was driving an older model, maroon GMC Yukon, had fired shots at his vehicle. A “Be on the Look-Out” bulletin was immediately issued to local troopers and all area law enforcement. While the suspect continued to travel north on US 165, he shot at and struck a northbound motorist. The injured motorist is currently in stable condition at an area hospital. The suspect then shot a tractor-trailer on US 165, in the Richwood community. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured. When the suspect stopped at a red light at the intersection of US 165 and Ruffin, he got out of his vehicle, approached a vehicle in the lane next to his and shot the driver at point-blank range. That driver’s current condition is unknown. Trooper John Nelson, based upon his instinct and recollection of recent mall-shooting incidents, decided to patrol the area around Pecanland Mall in Monroe. At approximately 12:50, Tpr. Nelson observed the suspect vehicle as it pulled into a parking spot. After the suspect got out of the vehicle and started walking toward a mall entrance, Tpr. Nelson confronted the suspect and was forced to physically subdue him. Via a security camera, Stan Johnson, an Allied Barton Security Guard working at the mall, observed the suspect vehicle recklessly enter the parking lot. After he observed the LA State Trooper approaching, the alert guard immediately rendered assistance to Trooper Nelson. They were able to apprehend the suspect just prior to him entering the mall. A shotgun was recovered from the suspect vehicle. The suspect, forty-year old Raymond Hodges of Columbia, was arrested and charges are pending. The on-going investigation is being conducted by Louisiana State Police, Monroe Police Department, Richwood Police Department and the Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s Office. State Police Colonel, Mike Edmonson, who was in Monroe today, stated, “I am very proud of the effort Trooper Nelson put forth today and of the initiative he took to put himself in a position to curtail the suspect’s activities. This was excellent police work and his actions are indicative of what I’ve come to expect from troopers throughout the state. The coordination and cooperation of all agencies involved is the type of service the public expects and is entitled to.” Monroe Police Chief Ron Schleuter credits Trooper Nelson for his insight and for undoubtedly saving many additional lives by apprehending the suspect as quickly as he did. For More Information, Contact: Sgt. Julie Lewis Louisiana State Police North District Public Affairs Office: (318) 345-2810 www.lsp.org ____________________________________________________________ xxx LSP xxx | |||
| No attachments for this article. | |||