Juveniles Arrested in Shooting — Violent Crime Up in Lake Charles

Back on December 2^nd, officers with the Lake Charles Police Department responded to the 2100 block of Rose Street in reference to a shooting. Investigation revealed while leaving a house party in the 2100 block of Rose Street, eight juveniles were in a vehicle.  A 15 year old juvenile fired at least 8 shots towards the departing vehicle. One juvenile in the vehicle was struck by a bullet. Officers learned at least one of the bullets also traveled into a residence in the 2200 block of Rose Street occupied by two adults and three children.

On December 5^th, 2017, investigators with the Lake Charles Police Department’s Juvenile Division arrested a 15 year old juvenile for 1 count of aggravated 2^nd Degree Battery, 7 counts of aggravated assault, 1 count of aggravated criminal damage to property, and 2 counts of possession of stolen guns.

Subsequent to the above juvenile arrest, a 14 year old and another 15 year old were also arrested for accessory after the fact to the above listed crimes.

Yesterday, I received an email from Mark Kraus of the Lake Charles Police Department about this very crime. The press release made me wonder if violent crime, especially crime involving guns, was higher than normal. I posed that question to LCPD and Major Gordon Fontenot sent me this information on the subject.

As of November 30, 2017, there have been 107 assault/battery offenses involving firearms. Compared to the previous year (as of Nov 30, 2016), there were 94 assault/battery offenses involving firearms. This is a 14% increase.

As November 30, 2017, there have been 9 homicides involving firearms. Compared to the previous year (as of November 30, 2016), there were 5 homicides involving forearms. This is an 80% increase.

Thus far this year, we have had 12 homicides as compared to 10 the previous year. This is thus far a 20% increase.