Bogalusa Man Arrested for Attempted Murder

On October 2, 2017, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Michael James Hortman (51) of Bogalusa on the charges of aggravated domestic violence battery and second degree attempted murder.
Responding to a 911 call from a woman in obvious distress, patrol deputies responded to the residence but could not locate anyone there. As it turned out, the victim had fled the residence and drove to the Bogalusa Police Department. Deputies learned that Hortman had used a pistol to strike the victim in the head and made threats of death and violence towards the victim. Hortman aimed the pistol at the victim’s head and pulled the trigger. When the weapon didn’t discharge, he reloaded the pistol and fired several rounds inside the residence.
Hortman fled to McComb, Mississippi where he was located and arrested by the McComb Police Department. He was returned to Washington Parish and placed in the  Parish Jail.
Sheriff Randy Seal bluntly stated his disdain at what had occurred. “This was a totally inexcusable event. No man is ever justified in abusing his wife, or anyone else, in such a manner. There is only one place for a man who would do such a despicable thing, and that place is jail. I am so pleased that the victim is safe and that our officers responded and handled this situation so quickly.”