Hammond Shooting Suspect Surrenders to Bogalusa Police

Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa reported today (April 29, 2020) that on Tuesday (April 28, 2020) at approximately 7:00 am, the Hammond Police Department began investigating a shooting that occurred on Kay Lane. Officers from Southeastern Louisiana University Police Department came in contact with Tavaris Pam (age 30 and of Hammond) at Hammond Fire Station 3, located at the corner of North Oak Street and University Avenue. SLU Officers and Hammond Firefighters began life-saving measures to Pam who sustained wounds to his abdomen, hand and forehead. He was conscious and able to give officers the location of the incident.

HPD Officers went to the incident scene to follow a blood trail to the residence, where they made contact with a victim. Officers cleared the residence of any suspects and observed blood on the floor as well as bullet holes in the walls.

HPD detectives learned that there was a domestic disturbance that had turned physical between the victim and Pam. The disturbance had begun to dissipate, and Pam had agreed to leave when the victim’s son, Johnny Hopkins, 29 years old of Covington, exited his room and began fighting with Pam. Hopkins fired a gun at Pam striking him in the abdomen. He fired a second shot at Pam striking him through the left hand and forehead. Pam was able to escape the house and drove in his car to the fire station where he saw a SLU police officer’s vehicle. He was later transported to North Oaks Medical Center where he was treated for non-life threatening gunshot wounds. In the meantime, Hopkins fled the scene with his girlfriend in his mother’s vehicle.

HPD Detectives were able to track down the mother’s vehicle in Slidell where it was recovered with the assistance of St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Hopkins turned himself in to the Bogalusa Police Department. During his interview, Hopkins was cooperative with HPD Detectives and confessed to shooting Pam and told detectives where the gun was located. The gun was recovered by HPD Detectives with the assistance of the Covington Police Department.

Hopkins is charged with one count of Attempted Second Degree Murder, one count of Illegal Discharge of Firearm, and one count of Illegal Carrying of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Pam is charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery and one count of Domestic Abuse Battery by Strangulation.