BPD: Man faces attempted murder charge after shooting at vehicle
Published 11:15 am Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Bogalusa Police Department officers took a Bogalusa man into custody Tuesday, after he allegedly shot at an occupied vehicle, according to Maj. Percy Knight of the BPD.
Knight, the public information officer for the BPD, said that officers received a call Tuesday at 2:34 p.m., in reference to a man shooting a gun at a woman on Mercedes Street.
Knight said that the female victim stated that she was driving west on Mercedes Street, and as she approached the intersection of Florence Avenue, she observed her estranged husband, Richard Martin, 22, of Bogalusa, walking north on Florence Avenue. The victim stated that when Martin saw her, he started walking toward her vehicle with a pistol in his hand and she sped off, Knight said. As the victim was leaving the area, she stated that Martin allegedly fired several shots at her vehicle.
Knight said that officers examined the vehicle and determined that one shot struck the vehicle and the bullet was located in the back of the driver’s seat headrest. It was later discovered that Martin also shot four rounds into a residence on Florence Avenue, Knight said.
At 5:55 p.m., the victim called the BPD and stated that Martin was seen walking in the Oak Hill Homes development. When the officers arrived in the area, Martin ran and hid in a nearby wooded area, Knight said.
Knight said that officers located Martin in the wooded area and he started running again and went into an apartment in the Oak Hill Homes. Officers searched the apartment and found Martin hiding in a closet. He was apprehended and placed under arrest.
Martin was booked and charged with attempted second-degree murder, illegal use of a dangerous weapon, possession or carrying a weapon by a convicted felon, aggravated criminal damage to property and resisting an officer.
Knight said that he would like to acknowledge the good work for the apprehension and arrest of the suspect to Patrol Shift “C,” under the command of Capt. Wendell O’Berry.