Stabbing suspect captured in Bayou Chicot

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Early Friday morning, Major Jeremy Mitchell with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office reported a man, who injured three individuals during a stabbing on Thursday on Stage Coach Road, has been arrested.
Kevin Lee West, 31, became wanted by EPSO following a verbal altercation with a family member that turned physical early on Thursday.
A press release from EPSO shared that West’s capture occurred after a caller advised dispatch that a male subject fitting the description of West was near Bayou One Stop in Bayou Chicot.
The release continued, “After a positive identification was made, deputies were able to safely apprehend the subject.”
According to a statement from EPSO on Thursday, “West stabbed three family members in various areas of their bodies with what was believed to be some type of kitchen knife as described by one of the victims.”
EPSO reported, “Two out of three victims were rushed to Mercy Regional Medical Center in Ville Platte for further treatment.” Law enforcement also stated, “all victims are in stable condition and wounds were not life threatening.”
According to Evangeline Parish School Superintendent Darwan Lazard, the incident forced Bayou Chicot Elementary into a lockdown Thursday morning. Lazard said, “According to the principal, Mary Christine Fontenot, BCES was on a level-one lockdown from the time they were notified about the incident by EPSO until near the end of the school day.”
A level-one lockdown is the lowest of lockdowns. During this type of lockdown buildings and doors are locked by students and personnel are still allowed to move around the buildings and campuses. According to Lazard, students and staff remain on constant alert until the status of a lockdown changes.
West was booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail Friday morning around 9:00 a.m. He is being held without bond pending a Gwen’s Law (domestic abuse) hearing. An arrest warrant charging West with three counts of aggravated battery and one count of simple battery of the infirm was signed by 13th Judicial District Judge Chuck West.
Following the capture of West, the EPSO thanked the public for its assistance in this matter.
Anyone with information on crimes is asked to contact the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office at (337) 363-2161. All callers will remain anonymous.