STPSO Deputies Locate Wanted Man at Covington Walmart

The Covington-area Walmart was placed on lock-down briefly Tuesday (March 3, 2020) evening

after St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies learned a wanted man was likely inside.

Earilier Tuesday, at approximately 4:30 p.m., a female called the STPSO to report a family member had just pulled a gun on her and friend.  The females told deputies Charles Black (23) had attempted to hold them against their will, but they were able to flee the residence unharmed.  The females also told deputies that Black was known to possess a carbine style rifle.

At approximately 7:00 p.m., Black’s vehicle was located by deputies in the parking lot of the Covington-area Walmart on Highway 190. Out of an abundance of caution, the store was placed on lock-down and deputies took the necessary precautions to protect employees and patrons while they searched the store.

Black was located in the store a short time later, unarmed, near the self-checkout and taken into custody without incident.  He was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on charges of Possession of Firearm by a Person Convicted of Certain Felonies, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, and False Imprisonment; Offender Armed.

A carbine rifle and ammunition were collected later that evening during a subsequent search of  Black’s residence, located on Tantela Ranch Road near Covington.