Warrant names suspect in shooting that wounded Assumption sheriff

A Pierre Part man has been named in an arrest warrant in connection with the Oct. 16 shooting that wounded Assumption Sheriff Leland Falcon and a Pierre Part resident. Among the crimes charged is a hate crime violation.

Louisiana State Police detectives, who routinely investigate shootings involving law enforcement personnel, identified the suspect as Paul Blanchard, 60, of Pierre Part.

The warrant alleges two counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated assault on a police officer, hate crimes and aggravated burglary.

Blanchard, who was also wounded in the incident, is still hospitalized and will be booked at the Assumption Parish Detention Center when he is medically cleared, state police said.

According to the LSP investigation, detectives learned that the incident began when Blanchard confronted an individual performing lawn care work at a residence in the Pierre Part area. During the initial encounter, Blanchard made racially charged remarks toward the individual before leaving, state police said.

A short time later, Blanchard returned armed with a shotgun and fired at the victim, striking him. The victim ran into the residence as Blanchard followed inside while still armed. Inside the home were three other occupants, one of whom was a juvenile. Blanchard then left the residence.

Shortly after, Assumption deputies responded to reports of the shooting. Upon arrival, Falcon and a deputy located the gunshot victim. While searching the area for the suspected shooter, they encountered Blanchard nearby.

During the encounter, Blanchard fired a shotgun in the direction of the sheriff, grazing him. The deputy then discharged their service weapon, striking Blanchard, state police said.

Both Blanchard and the original shooting victim were transported to a hospital with serious injuries. The sheriff sustained minor injuries, and the deputy was uninjured.

The warrant was obtained through the 23rd Judicial District Court, state police said.

Louisiana law defines a hate crime as one in which the victim is selected based on race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, perceived membership in an organization or the belief that the victim is a first responder, among other factors.

The statute provides a long list of crimes of violence, including murder, serious battery and rape, as well as property crimes, including theft and institutional vandalism, any of which can be the underlying offense in a hate crime charge.

A hate crime charge when the underlying offense is a misdemeanor carries a jail sentence of up to six months and a fine of up to $500. If the underlying offense is a felony, the sentence can be up to five years at hard labor, and the fine can be up to $5,000.