Hammond Homeowner Fights Back During Home Invasion / Kills One Attacker

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Jimmy Travis reports that TPSO detectives identified five suspects and with the assistance of the Hammond Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit and the LA Attorney General’s Office Fugitive Task Force arrested four of the active participants in a tragic armed robbery and home invasion.

Antwon Lewis Seymore, age 23 and of Ponchatoula, Christopher Austin Jr.(a.k.a. CAPONE), age 20 and of Hammond, Seionta Dasheawn Bells, age 22 and of Ponchatoula, and one 16 year-old-male juvenile have been taken into custody. The fifth suspect was identified as Devin Mitchell, age 26 and of Hammond. Mitchell was killed as a result of this incident. All are believed to be members of or associated with the two local street gangs known as “200X” and “La Familia”. 

The incident occurred on April 12, 2021, around 1:00 a.m. at a residence on E. Louisiana Ave. in Hammond. Two homeowners arrived home a short time before 1:00 a.m. As they were approaching their residence, they noticed several subjects walking on the street. Before they even had a chance to get out of their vehicle, two unknown males opened their car doors, pointed guns in their faces, and pulled them out of the vehicle. The accused subjects began aggressively attacking and beating the couple. Fighting back, the victims were able to break free from the subjects and retreat to inside their residence.

Unbeknownst to the couple and while the attack was taking place outside, several other subjects made entry into their home - which, at that time , was occupied by family members (one adult and two small children). While inside the residence the violence continued. The accused continued to attack, beat, and pistol whip the residents. Multiple shots were also fired inside of the residence.

During the horrific attack, one of the homeowners, fearing for his life and the lives of his family, armed himself with a pair of scissors and began stabbing one of the attackers, 26 year-old Hammond resident Devin Mitchell.  Mitchell subsequently succumbed to his injuries.

As of yesterday, all four subjects are behind bars and charged with First Degree Murder, Attempted Second Degree Murder, (3) counts of Aggravated Second Degree Battery, and (2) counts of Armed Robbery, and Home Invasion.

Three adult victims were transported to the hospital and treated for their injuries.  

“This is a situation where the homeowner was forced to use deadly force to protect his family and himself from armed intruders that entered his home,” states Chief Travis. “The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division did an outstanding job identifying and coordinating the quick apprehension of these dangerous suspects.”