Bogalusa Police Track Down Attempted Murder Suspect

Bogalusa Police Department officers responded on Monday, September 10, 2018 to the Power Food Store on Sullivan Drive after receiving a call of a person shot. Officers found a male victim with a single gunshot wound to his lower back. The victim was transported by ambulance to North Oaks Hospital in Hammond. The shooter had fled the scene.

A witness on the scene reportedly identified the shooter as Charles L. Smoot Jr (36) of Bogalusa. BPD officers also reviewed the store's video surveillance footage which reportedly showed the victim having a confrontation with Smoot, who was recognized by the BPD officers. A warrant was issued for Smoot's arrest.

The BPD Detective Division received information that Smoot was in New Orleans. On Tuesday (September 18, 2018), officers from the BPD Detective Division drove to New Orleans and found that Smoot was staying in a Hotel in the Warehouse District. The New Orleans Police Department SWAT team responded to the hotel and located the room where Smoot was staying. Smoot was taken into custody without incident,  transported to Central Lock Up in New Orleans for booking, and transported to Bogalusa City Jail on Wednesday (September 19, 2018).

Smoot was booked on the charges of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Possession or Carrying a Weapon by a Convicted Felon, Illegal Use of Weapons or Dangerous Instruments, Illegal Carrying of Weapons and Aggravated Battery. Smoot was also arrested for an active attachment for Failure to Appear in the Bogalusa City Court.