Police charge pair in Pecanland Mall shooting www.privateofficer.com
Monroe LA May 16 2012 Monroe police have arrested two men in connection with a Saturday night shooting at Pecanland Mall.
According to Detective Jeremy Kent, Christopher Coleman, 18, of 652 Spruell Road, Monroe, and Nicholas Lawson, 18, of 2111 Burg Jones Lane, Monroe, were booked into Ouachita Correctional Center, each on a charge of attempted second-degree murder.
Kent said shortly after 7 p.m., the alleged victim, 17, and his girlfriend were walking out of Burlington Coat Factory at the same time as Coleman and Lawson. He said for unknown reasons, the pair started a fight with the victim.
According to Kent, Coleman and Lawson armed themselves with a baseball bat and a firearm. He said the pair then took turns striking the victim with the bat.
Kent said the suspects then passed the firearm between themselves before Lawson fired two shots at the victim, striking him with one. He said the round passed through the victim’s arm and into his chest.
A small pool of blood was on the ground a short distance from what was believed to have been the victim’s white Cadillac. Police cordoned off a crime scene and had tape on seven vehicles, including the Cadillac.
Also on the scene were Monroe Fire Department and AMR units.
Kent said the victim, whose name was not released, was taken by ambulance to St. Francis Medical Center, where he remained in stable condition Sunday evening.
Kent said police apprehended Coleman at his residence Saturday night and Lawson was found at a relative’s residence early Sunday morning.
Mall manager Randy Barnett said he was grateful for the response by Monroe police.
“I know they got out here quick,” Barnett said. “I feel like this was an isolated incident.”
Barnett said he felt the mall’s security procedures worked well in this emergency situation.
Kent said witnesses at the mall identified the pair as the suspects. He said the incident remains under investigation.
Source:thenewsstar.com
