Gunfire At Shrimp Festival

By: Howard J. Castay, Jr.

Morgan City police are investigating a shooting that
occurred at the 73rd Annual Louisiana Shrimp and
Petroleum Festival last Saturday,
near the festival grounds at Lawrence Park.

MCPD Captain Glenn Blanco said officers patrolling
the area of Front and Greenwood Streets heard
gunfire near the areas of First and Front Street.

“When responding they were informed by witnesses
that there had been a fight in the area and someone
produced a gun and fired two
shots,” Blanco said.

A short time later, Teche Regional Medical Center
called the police department stating members of
their staff were treating someone in
the emergency room for a gunshot wound to the right arm.

The victim, whose injuries are not life threatening, is
a 28 year old male, whose name Blanco said is not being released
at this time.

“He observed a fight and then saw someone
in the crowd produce what appeared to be a
revolver. He heard two shots ring
out and noticed that he had been hit. The shooter
fled the scene,” Blanco
said.

The Morgan City police is asking help from
the public in identifying the
perpetrators. Anyone with information is asked
to contact the Morgan City Police
Detective Division at 985-380-4605.

There were 10 other arrests related to the Shrimp
and Petroleum, ranging from
disturbing the peace, to underage drinking.

Those charged include:

Eric McLemore, 20 of Morgan City, who was
arrested on Nov 2 at 11:17pm.
and charged with unlawful possession of alcohol
by someone under the age of 21, and
disturbing the peace while intoxicated.

James Dinicola, 17 of Morgan City, who was
arrested on Nov 11/01 at 11:17pm,
and charged with disturbing the peace intoxicated;
unlawful possession of Alcohol by
persons under 21; and Resisting an officer.

Robert Gros, 39 of Morgan City, who was arrested
on Nov 2 at 7:14pm, and
charged with three counts of simple battery,
resisting an officer, disturbing the peace intoxicated
and with simple battery on a police officer.

John Buck, Jr, 21 of Morgan City, who was
arrested on Nov 1 at 11:41pm,
and charged with disturbing the Peace intoxicated;
and three counts of simple Battery on a police officer.

The 73rd Annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival
was rescheduled to Oct 31, and Nov 1 and Nov 2, due to Hurricane Gustav.
.