Carjacking, robbery suspect killed during shootout with Pleasure Island victim: PAPD
Published 12:01 am Wednesday, May 6, 2020
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(Editor’s note: Police updated this story Wednesday, identifying the deceased suspect as 25-year-old Leon Jones III, a resident of Opelousas, La.)
A suspect in multiple violent attacks Tuesday evening was killed on Pleasure Island when a victim fought back and a shootout ensued, Port Arthur Police said.
The violent scene began at approximately 6:36 p.m. when authorities were alerted to a robbery in progress at Island Grocery, located at 1900 South Highway 82.
Witnesses described a male armed with a rifle.
“While en route to the scene, officers received further information that the suspect had fled eastbound in a vehicle on South Highway 82,” Det. Sadie Guedry said. “After officers arrived on scene, they spoke to a male and female who stated the (assailant) had tried to take their vehicle at gunpoint.”
While talking to the victims, police said a second 911 call alerted authorities to a shooting approximately three miles away on South Highway 82.
Guedry said officers arriving at the second location found a black male dead in the roadway.
“During the investigation at the second location, it was found that the deceased had pointed a rifle at a male and female who were crabbing,” Guedry said. “The suspect demanded money and property from the couple. The male victim was able to get to his vehicle and retrieve his handgun.”
Police believe the suspect and male victim exchanged gunfire and the suspect was struck multiple times.
Port Arthur Police Department investigators determined the deceased man was the same person who had attempted to steal the vehicle at gunpoint from the first 911 call, Guedry said.
According to police, the vehicle the suspect was driving was found to be stolen out of Louisiana.
The female victim from the second location was injured during the gunfire and treated on scene by Acadian EMS.
Police did not immediately release the name of the suspect killed Tuesday night. No arrests were reported.
PAPD’s Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the shooting.