Zero tolerance for violence; elected officials gather at site of shooting

Published 8:26 am Tuesday, April 9, 2013

City leaders and law enforcement will hold a press conference near the sight of several shootings Tuesday morning in the hopes of putting a stop to the violence.

Port Arthur Mayor Deloris “Bobbie” Prince, Police Chief Mark Blanton and Jefferson County Sheriff Mitch Woods are some of those expected to be in attendance.

“I will be there to show community support,” Blanton said. “And to show that all these entities are not going to tolerate the violence.”

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Just more than a week ago a disturbance between two groups erupted into gunfire and the death of Marcus John “Big Country” Senegal, 29, and the injury of another man at the nearby Old School Shack. A retaliatory shooting occurred shortly after at Prince Hall Village Apartments where two people were injured. A third shooting occurred early Tuesday morning at the complex that left another man with injuries.

Two Port Arthur men have been arrested in connection with the shootings —  Telly Roshard “Tello” Joyce Jr., 18, was arrested on a probation violation and Todd Small, 25, was arrested on a charge of revoking his bond.

One of the persons injured remains in critical condition, according to police

Port Arthur Police Officer Marcello Molfino said police have been patrolling the area day and night since the shootings.

“We still need the community’s cooperation,” Molfino said. “Hundreds of people were at the club that night.”

Witnesses have been reluctant to work with police possibly for fear of retaliation, he said. Persons with information about the shootings that leads to an arrest can call Beaumont Crime Stoppers at 833-TIPS.

E-mail: mmeaux@panews.com

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