Incident at Bogalusa School Bus Stop Leads to Shootout Between Neighbors

The Bogalusa Police Department reported yesterday (January 31, 2022) that last Thursday (January 27, 2022) morning, neighbors Laderrick Payne (age 41) and Leon Lewis (age 56) escorted their children to a school bus stop and a physical altercation occurred between the two men followed by a shootout in the 600 block of Avenue D.

The incident began around 7am, after the two men put their children on the school bus. Detectives learned that the child of Lewis boarded the bus first, when the bus stopped to pick her up just short of the bus stop. Payne reportedly stated that he felt his children were disrespected, so he attacked Lewis, striking him several times. The bus driver got off of the bus and separated the two men. According to BPD, Lewis left the scene but Payne told Lewis that he was going to get his gun. 

A short time later, Payne was reportedly seen outside his residence with a handgun and allegedly
threatened another neighbor. Lewis and Payne is reported to have then engaged in a shootout in which neither man was hit but several vehicles sustained damage. Officers responding to a call of shots fired soon located Lewis inside his residence. Payne had already fled the scene.

The 9mm handgun reportedly used by Lewis was located in a shed behind his house. The .40 caliber handgun reportedly used by Payne was recovered at a relative’s residence. While processing the scene, Detectives located 27 spent .40 caliber shell casings in the roadway fronting Payne’s residence and two 9mm shell casing fronting Lewis’ residence. After questioning witnesses and the two suspects, both men were detained and brought to Police Headquarters. After interviews with both men and discovering that both are convicted felons (prohibited from possessing firearms), Payne and Lewis were arrested. 

It was determined that Payne was the aggressor in the incident. He was charged with Attempted Second Degree Murder, Possession/Carrying of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon, Simple Battery, Illegal Use of Weapons, Obstruction of Justice and three counts of Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property. 

Lewis was charged with Possession/Carrying of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon, Obstruction of Justice and two warrants for Failure to Appear in Court.

Payne has been arrested by the Bogalusa Police Department on twelve prior occasions, while Lewis has fifteen prior arrests by B.P.D.