| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 7882 | 2016-01-02 | Troop L | New Year’s Day Road Rage Leads to Arrest of Mandeville Resident |
TROOP L - NEWS RELEASE January 2nd, 2016 New Year’s Day Road Rage Leads to Arrest of Mandeville Resident Mandeville, LA- Shortly after 10:30 PM on January 1st, 2016, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop L were contacted in reference to a crash that had just occurred on LA 59 near Interstate 12 in Mandeville. Investigating Troopers would discover that 24 year-old John L. Reed II of Mandeville, LA fired a semi-automatic handgun into the rear tires of another vehicle following a crash. Prior to the shooting, Reed was driving a Dodge pickup truck southbound on LA 59. He was in the left lane, preparing to turn left onto Interstate 12 eastbound. John M. Elarton 45 year-old of Magnolia, MS, was driving a Chevrolet Silverado northbound on LA 59 in the right lane. Once Reed’s light turned green, he entered the intersection to enter Interstate 12 eastbound. Elarton disobeyed the red light and also entered the intersection, crashing into the right rear of Reed’s truck. Following the collision, Elarton continued northbound on LA 59. Reed pursued, catching up to Elarton’s truck near the LA 59 intersection with the Interstate 12 eastbound off-ramp. Reed exited his truck and the two drivers exchanged words. As Elarton began to drive away, Reed fired a .45 caliber handgun several times into the rear of Elarton’s vehicle. Elarton fled the shooting scene eastbound on Interstate 12 with Reed again pursuing him. Reed called Louisiana State Police Troop L and informed dispatchers that he had just been involved in a hit and run crash. He told dispatchers that he was following the suspect vehicle and relayed Elarton’s position to responding Troopers. He also described Elarton’s vehicle as having a flat tire. Troopers were able to stop both vehicles on US 190 just north of Interstate 12. Through investigative efforts, Troopers were able to determine that Reed had fired into the rear of Elarton’s vehicle. Troopers seized a .45 semi-automatic handgun from Reed’s possession. Troopers also recovered seven spent .45 caliber brass shell casings at the scene of the initial shooting on LA 59. Reed was arrested and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail for Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property and Illegal use of Weapons or Dangerous Instrumentalities. Elarton was issued a summons for disregard of traffic control. The investigation is on-going and any additional charges will be referred to the district attorney's office. Louisiana Motorists are reminded not to take matters into their own hands. If you witness unsafe driving conditions, a crash, or any suspicious roadway activity please call *LSP [*577]. Your call will be forwarded to your nearest Louisiana State Police Troop. Contact Information: | |||
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