Attempted Vehicle Theft in Slidell Ends in Gunfire - One Dead, Two Arrested, One Wanted

Early Saturday (August 24, 2024) morning, the Slidell Police Department received a suspicious person call in the area of 1303 Town Center Parkway (Retreats at Fremaux Town Center Apartments). The caller advised they observed a subject who appeared to be attempting to break into a parked vehicle. As Slidell Police officers responded to the location, a second call was received regarding several gunshots being fired nearby at 1640 Town Center Parkway (The Masons Apartment Complex), possibly coming from a black SUV.

As officers arrived in the area, they located a black Cadillac Escalade turning onto Old Spanish Trail from Town Center Parkway. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle began to flee. Officers pursued the vehicle until it came to a rolling stop in New Orleans, where three male suspects exited the vehicle and fled on foot. A Slidell Police canine located and apprehended one suspect, as he hid from officers underneath a raised house. Officers located a second suspect hiding behind a shed in the rear yard of a residence, with a firearm that was discovered to be stolen.

Simultaneously, as the officers continued canvassing the area for the third suspect, other officers cleared the vehicle and found a deceased male in the rear seat of the SUV, who had suffered an apparent gunshot wound.

Investigators with the Slidell Police Department determined that the four subjects, in the black SUV, traveled to the Slidell-area apartment complexes in order to steal vehicles. As the subjects attempted to steal a Chevrolet Camaro from 1640 Town Center Parkway (The Masons), the vehicle's owner heard the alarm and tried to intervene. An exchange of gunfire erupted between the vehicle's owner and the suspects, resulting in the one suspect being struck with a bullet(s). All four suspects then fled the area in the Cadillac Escalade.

Two of the suspects have been identified and arrested. Both suspects also have pending charges of Murder and Attempted Murder, as a result of their gunfire towards the owner of the vehicle, and as a result of their accomplice being killed during the commission of a felony.

17-year-old Johvon Victor of Marrero is charged with Illegal Carrying of Weapons; Burglary Tools (Felony), Simple Burglary; Armed with Firearm (Felony), and Aggravated Flight from an Officer (Felony).

17-year-old Emon Starks of Waggaman is charged with Illegal Carrying of Weapons; Burglary Tools (Felony), Simple Burglary; Armed with Firearm (Felony), Aggravated Flight from an Officer (Felony), and Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms (Felony).

The identity of the third suspect, who was able to elude capture, is still unknown at this time. Anyone with information regarding the identity of this subject is urged to call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

The identity of the deceased male has yet to be determined.

The investigation remains ongoing.