Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s deputies have arrested seven people in connection with the shooting death of 16-year-old Leonard “LJ” Williams last weekend. TPSO Chief Deputy Jimmy Travis says a teen party erupted into gunfire after a jealous boyfriend saw his girlfriend dancing at the party on Facebook Live…
“He saw this so he went up to the residence, went up to the young lady and – as they described – he body-slammed her,” Travis says.
That led to an argument which led to the main suspect leaving but coming back in with a carload of friends looking for more trouble. Travis says the victim was in one of the cars, but decided he didn’t want to be involved in what was about to happen, so he got out and was walking away when the shooting started. Travis says it wasn’t just a shooting incident; it was a gun battle…
“We recovered over 30 spent shell casings there, in front of the house.”
Most of those arrested are 18 or younger, except for one: 64-year-old Ella Bickham – charged with obstructing justice and evidence tampering. She allegedly withheld key evidence from deputies for over 16 hours. Travis says it’s disturbing that so many local youths were apparently so well-armed, based on the 30 odd shell casings recovered…
“We have 9 millimeter casings, .40 caliber casings and 7.62 x 3-9 casings, which is a tactical rifle round,” says Travis. Here are the names and charges:
- 18-year-old Jaylan Williams of Hammond…obstructing justice, evidence tampering 2nd degree murder and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles
- 18-year-old Corey Williams of Hammond…fighting with deputies investigating the crime and fleeing the scene
- two 17-year-old juveniles …obstructing justice, 2nd-degree murder, illegal use of weapons and illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile
- a 16-year-old male from Hammond for obstructing justice, evidence tampering, 2nd-degree murder, illegal use of weapons and illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile
- a 17-year-old male from Hammond for principle to 2nd-degree murder.
- Ms. Bickham, mentioned above.
Travis says more arrests in the case are likely.
Comments