Trio arrested after shooting at deputies

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Deputies arrested three people following an overnight stand-off where a TPSO K9 was wounded.

Deputies say the sheriff’s office received calls about two males walking around with a gun in the Bedico Creek Lane trailer east of Ponchatoula.

When deputies arrived, the suspects shot at them. While one deputy attempted to arrest James Loyd, 52, another suspect, 21-year-old Thomas Loftis fired several shots, one of which hit K9 Bella in the jaw.

The suspects ran into the woods and were located 1/4 mile away where they had barricaded themselves inside a camper on CC Road.

The TPSO Special Response Team responded, along with several other units to begin negotiations. Authorities say Charlotte O’Reagan, 73, exited the home and told deputies to “come back tomorrow.”

Law enforcement used a chemical agent to get the suspects out of the home and all three were arrested just after 2 a.m. on Oct. 2.

“This incident could have ended much worse, and for that, we are truly blessed that our deputies are safe and unharmed,” said Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Chief Jimmy Travis. “K9 Bella also put her life on the line to protect her partner. She performed her duties flawlessly and took a suspect’s bullet which may have been intended for one of our deputies. While we expect her to make a full physical recovery, it’s our hope she will also return to duty as some K9s are unable to do so after an injury involving gunfire. We love our K9s as members of the TPSO family and wish K9 Bella a speedy return to health.”

The sheriff’s office is holding a press conference at 2 p.m. on Oct. 3 regarding the arrests.