A 20-year-old Minden man and a 16-year-old were arrested after an incident where multiple gunshots were fired at a vehicle following an altercation during a dice game, according to the Minden Police Department.
On May 22 at approximately 5:02 PM, officers responded to the Minden Police Department to take a report of property damage to a vehicle. A man told officers that his 16-year-old son had been shot at while leaving a friend’s residence.
According to the father, his son reported that the 20-year-old suspect fired multiple shots at his vehicle as he was leaving the residence. The teen swerved to avoid the gunfire and struck a pole in the process. Another juvenile male was reportedly in the vehicle during the incident.
Officers collected two bullet fragments from the damaged vehicle—one from the front passenger headrest and another from the rear driver side floorboard. At the reported scene near the intersection of Pine Street and Azalea Street, officers located a yellow pole consistent with the collision and recovered two spent .40 caliber shell casings from the roadway.
Later that evening, detectives took over the investigation and conducted a recorded interview with the 20-year-old suspect at the Minden Police Department. After being read his Miranda Rights, the suspect admitted to firing his Glock 23 handgun at the vehicle, stating he fired approximately five shots and knew the bullets struck the vehicle.
According to his statement, the incident began earlier that day during a dice game at his residence. Present were several juveniles, including the 16-year-old involved in the shooting incident, two other male teens, and the suspect’s 17-year-old sister.
The suspect stated that after a dispute with one of the juveniles, he left the group and went to his bedroom. He claimed that several teens entered the room and shoved him to the floor. He further alleged that one of the juveniles grabbed his assault rifle and ran out of the residence, pointing the weapon in the suspect’s direction while fleeing.
The suspect said he then retrieved his handgun and fired at the fleeing vehicle. He admitted that his shots struck the vehicle.
Officers later conducted interviews with the suspect’s sister and younger brother, both of whom corroborated his account of the incident. The sister stated she did not witness the shooting but confirmed the events leading up to it.
The 16-year-old male allegedly involved in taking the assault rifle was later questioned by police and arrested in connection with that incident. Due to his juvenile status, his identity is not being released.
The 20-year-old was arrested and charged with illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, aggravated criminal damage to property, and gambling. He was transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center for booking.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.