PONCHATOULA — Four people were arrested and three are still wanted after Ponchatoula Police investigated a shooting that happened in April. The shooting happened in a crowded area in Tasker Park and left two people injured.
Around 5 p.m. on April 12, Ponchatoula Police officers working security on North First Street at Tasker Park heard gunshots in a large crowd. They asked for additional units at that time.
Two people and multiple vehicles were injured by gunfire, Ponchatoula Police reports.
Since that time, Ponchatoula detectives have worked to identify all individuals responsible for the shooting and the disruption of that day’s events. Four people were arrested for attempted second-degree murder:
- Ricky Eskridge Jr.
- Jaquan Woolridge
- Tylen O. Edwards
- Steve Cole
Three additional individuals are currently wanted for two counts of attempted second-degree murder with a nationwide extradition:
- Ramon P. Eskridge
- David McDowell Jr.
- Raymond McKay III
Several of these people have prior convictions for violent crimes in Louisiana and other states, and may be armed and dangerous, per officials. Anyone assisting them in avoiding arrest will be charged accordingly, Ponchatoula Police warned.
“This case has required numerous hours of investigative work, including the initial crime scene investigation, interviews, and search warrants. Our team obtained evidence linking these seven individuals to the altercation and subsequent shooting that endangered hundreds of innocent people at Tasker Park and disrupted our local festival several blocks away,” said Chief Bry Layrisson. “The remaining suspects will be taken into custody and transported to Tangipahoa Parish for prosecution from anywhere in the United States.”
As the investigation continues, anyone with information or video footage around the time of the shooting should contact Ponchatoula Police Department Detective Jimmy McGovern or Detective Collin Lee at (985) 386-6548.
You can share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3 Tips icon or Submit A Tip. You may be eligible for a cash reward up to $5,000.
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