A 51-year-old Beaumont, Texas, man wanted in a homicide was captured near Vinton on Wednesday after allegedly opening fire on Calcasieu Parish deputies and then disappearing into the woods for hours. Alton G. St. Julian was arrested just before 6 p.m. near a wooded area, ending a tense, multi-agency manhunt that began earlier that afternoon.
Gunfire Erupts Near Big Woods Starks Road
According to American Press, the incident began around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, when Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office deputies spotted St. Julian's vehicle near Big Woods Starks Road and Creek Road. As reported by klfy.com, deputies had been dispatched to the Vinton area at approximately 3:30 p.m. while assisting Lake Charles police in locating St. Julian, who was already wanted in connection with a homicide.
Per the same account, St. Julian allegedly fired several shots at law enforcement officers before abandoning his vehicle and fleeing on foot into the woods. Deputies locked down the area and brought in additional resources as the search intensified.
Hours-Long Search Ends With Arrest and Firearm Recovery
Deputies located St. Julian inside the perimeter a few hours later, finding him shortly before 6 p.m. along with a firearm near the wooded area, the station's report notes. Kayla Vincent, a sheriff's office spokesperson, said the incident began around 3:30 p.m., consistent with the timeline deputies gave of the pursuit.
St. Julian was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center, with bond still pending. He faces charges of aggravated assault upon a peace officer, illegal use of a weapon and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in addition to second-degree murder charges filed by the Lake Charles Police Department. Larry Cormier is leading the investigation.
What Louisiana Law Says About the Charges
Louisiana statute makes it unlawful for a person previously convicted of, or found not guilty by reason of insanity for, a qualifying felony crime of violence to possess a firearm or carry a concealed weapon, according to the Louisiana Legislature. Separately, the state's aggravated assault upon a peace officer statute allows for a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment of one to 10 years, with or without hard labor, or both, per the same legislative code.
Multiple outside agencies assisted in the search and investigation, including the Louisiana State Police, the Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office, the DeQuincy Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI, klfy.com reported.
