MONROE, La. -- A Monroe man shot two Ouachita Parish deputies early Thursday morning during their attempt to serve a felony warrant.
Ouachita Parish Sheriff Jay Russell said Rickie Lavelle Wade Jr., 26, of 3410 Dick Taylor St., Monroe, was taken into custody around 8:40 a.m., after leading law enforcement agencies on a manhunt in a southern Ouachita Parish neighborhood.
The two deputies, Johnny Robinson and Tom Hargrove, were taken to area hospitals for treatment of their injuries. Russell said both were in stable condition before surgery.
Robinson, a 25-year veteran, was treated locally and was reportedly in stable condition after surgery.
Hargrove was airlifted to LSU-Shreveport and was still in surgery as of 3:30 p.m.
Both deputies help the U.S. Marshal's Office serve felony warrants and were working with two officers at 105 Mary Beth Court around 6:15 a.m. Thursday to serve several no-bond warrants. They encountered a woman at the door and confirmed that Wade was in the building.
Russell said the deputies entered the residence while two other patrolmen covered a rear entrance. Robinson went to the back of the residence, where he found the suspect. A brief scuffle ensued, and the deputy was shot in the leg.
Upon hearing gunshots, Hargrove drew his weapon as he encountered the suspect, who shot him once in the jaw and fled the scene.
Law enforcement agents from Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police and Monroe Police Department responded to the scene, where a manhunt ensued. SWAT units from the sheriff's office and Monroe police were called in to assist in the search.
Wade was found in a nearby residence at 128 Michelle Court.
Russell said gas spray was tossed into the Michelle Court home, causing Wade to flee into the attic. The suspect eventually fell through the ceiling and was apprehended by SWAT personnel.
Law enforcement recovered a .45-caliber handgun suspected to be used in the crime.
Wade had multiple outstanding warrants with issue dates ranging from March 2014 to April 2016, including failure to appear at hearings for prior charges of violation of a protective order, battery, resisting an officer and reckless operation of a vehicle. Additional warrants were issued on unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, domestic abuse battery, violation of a protective order, theft and burglary.
Wade was booked into Ouachita Correctional Center on charges of simple burglary/burglary, unauthorized use of a movable, domestic abuse battery, two counts violation of a protective order, theft, three counts failure to appear, theft, reckless operation and three counts attempted first-degree murder.
Bond has been set in excess of $2.5 million on some charges while others are listed as hold without bond.
Russell said the sheriff's office is leading the investigation, and the woman at the residence and multiple witnesses were being questioned about the incident.
"I want to say thank you to all of the law enforcement agencies who were involved with this," Russell said. "They are too numerous to mention. There is not one in Northeast Louisiana who hasn’t called me, and some across the state, to offer their help. ...The prayers and concern throughout the community are helping, and I hope those people out there continue to pray for these two deputies who are injured, and I hope they continue to offer them their thoughts and prayers."
