ST. BERNARD PARISH, La. — St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office says they have arrested a 17-year-old male juvenile from Meraux for allegedly firing a gun at a group of teens after they show up at his house and get into an “altercation” with the teen.
According to the sheriff’s office, on Wednesday, shortly after 4 p.m., deputies responded to a call about shots being fired in the 2400 block of Garden Drive in Meraux.
When deputies arrived on the scene, they learned that five juveniles, a 15-year-old female, a 16-year-old female, a 17-year-old female, a 16-year-old male, and a 17-year-old male, showed up at the 17-year-old male’s home on Garden Drive and a physical altercation ensued, prompting him to go into his house and retrieve a gun.
They say the teen brandished the weapon, fired multiple rounds, and struck the window of a neighbor’s home and the group of teens’ vehicle.
The five teens then fled the scene but deputies later apprehended them at a nearby restaurant in Meraux.
Sheriff Pohlmann says no one was injured as a result of the weapon being fired.
The 17-year-old juvenile who fired the gun was booked with the illegal discharge of a weapon and aggravated criminal damage to property.
The other five juveniles involved in the incident were each issued a summons for simple battery.
Sheriff Pohlmann says during the course of the investigation, deputies learned some of the students involved in the incident are Chalmette High School students.
The sheriff says out of an abundance of caution, the St. Bernard School Superintendent Doris Voitier is working with the sheriff’s office to increase the police presence at Chalmette High School for the next few days.
Anyone with information regarding this incident, or any other type of criminal activity in St. Bernard Parish is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501, the Criminal Investigations Bureau’s tip hotline at (504) 271-TIPS or 8477, or Crimestoppers GNO at (504) 822-1111. Callers to the CIB tip hotline or Crimestoppers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash award from Crimestoppers.
