FROM THE DESK OF SHERIFF BOBBY J. GUIDROZ
Press Release: January 31, 2024
MELVILLE JUVENILE ARRESTED FOR FOUR (4) COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER; SECOND MELVILLE JUVENILE ARRESTED FOR CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA.
According to Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz “On January 20, 2024 St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to Highway 105, Melville, LA, in reference to a drive-by shooting. Three juveniles and an adult were inside the home at the time of the shooting; however, no one was injured. The responding deputies arrived on scene and located approximately twenty- one (21) .45 caliber shell casings on the north side of Highway 105.”
During the investigation by juvenile detectives, it was learned that the person responsible for the shooting was a 16-year-old juvenile from Melville, LA. Juvenile detectives then obtained an arrest warrant for 4 counts of attempted first degree murder, aggravated criminal damage to property, and compounding a felony.
On January 26, 2024, St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office juvenile detectives, with the assistance of the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, executed a search / arrest warrant at an address in the city limits of Melville, LA. to apprehend the 16-year-old juvenile. SWAT agents observed a black male in the front driver seat of a vehicle that was located on the property, who was identified as the juvenile suspect. A green and black .45 caliber handgun was located on the front driver side floorboard in between the juvenile’s feet.
When SWAT agents entered the residence, they located a 15-year-old male juvenile in possession of a handgun. When juvenile detectives conducted a search of the residence, handguns and narcotics, including a marijuana plant, were located.
The 16-year-old juvenile was arrested and charged with illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile, and possession with intent to distribute schedule I CDS, as well as being charged for the arrest warrant for 4 counts of attempted first degree murder, aggravated criminal damage to property, and compounding a felony.
The 15-year-old juvenile was charged with illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile, and cultivation of schedule I CDS (marijuana).
This is Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
