A Pineville police officer who alleged Sunday night that he had been ambushed and shot is now under arrest for allegedly shooting himself and then lying about it.
Deputy Chief of Pineville P-D Darrell Basco said the incident was investigated and they now believe Officer John Goulart Jr. filed a false report.
“He shot himself,” said Basco. “We’re still piecing together additional information as far a timeline but through the investigation, it was confirmed that it was self-inflicted and no one shot him.”
The incident occurred behind a shopping center. Goulart suffered minor injuries and was released from the hospital Monday.
Basco says they’re still piecing together exactly what happened but they’re confident Goulart was lying.
“We discovered that it was a false statement that was made and he was arrested (Tuesday) by us for criminal mischief and malfeasance in office,” said Basco.
Goulart has been booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center and is on administrative leave.
Basco said the incident is incredibly disappointing.
“It puts some tarnish on the badge of every law enforcement officer with our department especially, and officers across the state of Louisiana and across America who go to work every day and do what they are supposed to do.” said Basco.
CrimeStoppers offered a 5,000 dollar reward for information leading to an arrest in what was initially believed to have been an ambush.
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