Ville Platte Police makes arrest in shooting near Courthouse

Chief Neal Lartigue of the Ville Platte Police Department has announced an arrest in connection with a shooting which occurred near the Evangeline Parish Courthouse late last week.
“On September 28, at approximately 1:30 a.m.,” Chief Lartigue said in a press release, “an officer with the Ville Platte Police Department was patrolling on Court Street when he heard a shot fired from the area of Calcasieu Street. The officer located the suspect who fled on foot. During the foot pursuit, an Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s deputy arrived to assist. The deputy deployed his taser to stop the suspect from resisting, but the taser had little to no effect. It was later learned that the suspect was wearing a bullet proof vest.”
The press release continued as follows: “The foot pursuit continued and the suspect was taken into custody and transported to the Ville Platte Police Department. Akeen Joseph, age 28, of 220 Dejean Street, Crowley, was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail and charged with discharge of a firearm in the city limits and resisting an officer. Joseph’s bond was set at $3,250.00.”
Chief Lartigue would like to thank the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in apprehending the suspect.
Chief Lartigue reminds everyone that if you see something, report something. It is important for everyone to report illegal and suspicious activity to make our city safer. Your call will remain anonymous