Covington Man Convicted After Armed Standoff With Deputies

District Attorney J. Collin Sims reports that on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, a St. Tammany Parish jury found 27-year-old Trevell Hills of Covington, Louisiana, guilty as charged on firearm offenses following a trial before the Honorable Judge Vincent J. Lobello.

Hills was convicted of Illegal Use of a Weapon while Committing a Crime of Violence or Drug Offense, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Illegal Carrying of Weapons during a Crime of Violence.

The charges stem from an incident on September 25, 2025, when deputies with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service at a residence on Ruby Street in Covington. Upon arrival, deputies encountered Hills seated on the front porch. When officers initially approached Hills, he told them that he was smoking “ice”, referring to methamphetamine. Shortly thereafter, Hills produced an illegally modified sawed-off shotgun and fired a shot directly toward the officers before barricading himself inside the home.

Deputies retreated to safety, established a perimeter, and requested assistance from the STPSO SWAT team. Following a standoff and negotiations, Hills surrendered without further physical harm to law enforcement officers. A subsequent search warrant resulted in the recovery of the modified shotgun, methamphetamine residue, and drug paraphernalia.

Assistant District Attorneys Iain Dover and Shelby Stoop prosecuted the case on behalf of the State.

During closing arguments, Assistant District Attorney Shelby Stoop emphasized the defendant’s deliberate actions. "Trevell Hills raised a shotgun, pointed it in the direction of the officers, and fired a shot," Stoop told the jury. "You don't point a loaded firearm at someone without intent. I would submit to you all that there was intent here."

In rebuttal, Assistant District Attorney Iain Dover underscored the importance of accountability. "The only way to offer respect for the job the officers did that day is to hold the defendant accountable and find him guilty as charged," Dover stated. "Intent is determined by our actions and the consequences of our actions. He absolutely intended to fire that gun."

District Attorney Collin Sims commended the bravery of the responding deputies and the thorough prosecution by his team.

"Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every single day to protect our community," said District Attorney Collin Sims. "We will not tolerate violence against our deputies, and this verdict ensures that Mr. Hills will be held fully accountable for putting our officers and neighbors in danger."

Judge Lobello has scheduled sentencing for August 26, 2026. Hills faces up to life imprisonment for his convictions.