Suspect is captured after two months on the run

A man who was wanted in connection with shootings in Church Point as well as Evangeline Parish has been apprehended.
Christopher Freeman, 22, of Opelousas, is charged with six counts of attempted first-degree murder along with a drive-by shooting as well as six counts of attempted second-degree murder in a separate shooting. He also faces other charges including felon in possession of a firearm and illegal use of a weapon.
Church Point Police Chief Dale Thibodeaux stated, in a news release, “The Church Point Police Department wants to advise with the assistance of The U.S. Marshal Violent Offender Task Force, Christopher Freeman has been captured. Christopher Freeman was on the run after being involved in several shootings in the Town of Church Point.
“Freeman was arrested in the morning hours on April 28 and booked into the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Department. Freeman is also wanted by several other departments in the area for his crime spree.
“The Church Point Police Department wants to thank all agencies who have assisted them in the apprehension of Christopher Freeman. Upon completion at the St. Landry Parish Jail, Freeman will be transported to the Acadia Parish Jail to await trial.”
Freeman was wanted in connection with two shootings in Church Point.
The first occurred Feb. 17 on Labbie Street.
In a March 17 news release, Thibodeaux stated, “In this incident, an investigation revealed Freeman shot five rounds into the residence from a 9mm. The residence contained adults and young kids.”
The second occurred Feb. 22 on Marie Street.
In a Feb. 25 news release, Thibodeaux stated, “Shots were fired at the residence with a AR 15 .223 caliber rifle.”
Jaden Citizen, 16, of Church Point, was also wanted in connection with the Feb. 22 shooting. Citizen, who was charged as an adult, was arrested following a Monday, March 15, Acadia Parish grand jury indictment.
At a March Church Point Town Council meeting, Thibodeaux said Church Point is home to two local gangs that include individuals from Opelousas and Lafayette.
In the Feb. 25 statement, Thibodeaux also said that Freeman is known to be the leader of the street gang 5CM, a local gang consisting of juveniles and younger adults.
At the same council meeting, Thibodeaux said he had requested assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service in locating the suspects in the recent shootings around Church Point.
His request had followed several shooting reports not only in Church Point, but also in Crowley, Rayne and one that occurred between Branch and Church Point.
Thibodeaux told the council at that time that some of these shootings may be linked.
Freeman was also wanted by the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office.
On Thursday, March 18, Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory announced that Freeman was wanted in connection with a March 10 shooting outside of Ville Platte.
Guillory stated, in a news release, “On Wednesday, March 10, (officers from the) Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office were called out to the area of Edgewood Drive for shots fired. It was learned by the initial responding deputies that a shooting had occurred when the owner of a vehicle stolen out of Ville Platte attempted to recover his vehicle.
“The owner stated he believed the occupants in his stolen vehicle recognized him and began to fire off rounds in his direction from a handgun. The suspects left the area in the stolen vehicle in an unknown direction.”
The vehicle’s owner identified the suspects as Freeman and Kendall Pete, of Ville Platte.