One dead after Monday courtroom violence in Franklin

FRANKLIN -- One person died Monday morning in a what the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office called a shooing in a Parish Courthouse courtroom.

Little is yet known about the incident. Louisiana State Police have been called in to investigate, a routine step in officer-involved incidents, and witnesses were being interviewed in the courthouse by 11 a.m., a little more than two hours after the incident. The courthouse was under lockdown at noontime Monday.

Sheriff's Office spokesman David Spencer said the wounded person is not a deputy. That person was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, but Trooper First Class Derek Senegal of the state police told reporters at midday that the man was dead when he arrived at the hospital.

Senegal said the investigation, barely three hours old at that point, is continuing and that details are still incomplete.

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office had described the incident as a shooting that occurred in one of the parish's courtrooms. The courtrooms are on the sixth floor of the courthouse, and require passing through metal detectors for entry.

Senegal said the incident involved a man who was already in parish custody and a St. Mary deputy.

Franklin Mayor Eugene Foulcard and St. Mary Chamber Chairman Ed "Tiger" Verdun arrived at the courthouse about 11:30 a.m.

"I'm basically stopping by for moral support for our law enforcement personnel who are investigating this incident," Foulcard said.

Franklin Police Chief Morris Beverly arrived soon after.

Meanwhile, SMPSO Lt. Gary Keller was stationed at the main courthouse entrance, politely turning away people seeking entry on what is normally a busy day at the courthouse.

Foulcard asked for prayers for everyone involved.