SBSO APPREHENDS SUSPECT WANTED IN LOWER NINTH WARD SHOOTING
The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office apprehended a suspect wanted by the New Orleans Police Department in connection with a shooting that occurred in the lower Ninth Ward Thursday afternoon, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.
Matthew Bell, 41, of Monroe, Louisiana, was booked by SBSO with aggravated flight from an officer, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen firearm, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest.
On Thursday, Jan. 5, at approximately 12:17 p.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies with the Field Operations Bureau Patrol Division witnessed a black Hyundai Sonata not bearing a license plate driving recklessly at a high rate of speed enter St. Bernard Parish heading eastbound on West Judge Perez Drive near Angela Street in Arabi.
When deputies made a traffic stop on the vehicle near Alexander Avenue, the driver, later identified as Bell, refused to stop. Bell, who was armed with a handgun, exited the vehicle while it was still in motion on Friscoville Avenue and fled on foot.
Deputies secured the vehicle and quickly apprehended Bell nearby following a brief struggle.
Out of an abundance of caution, Sheriff Pohlmann said, nearby Arabi Elementary School was placed on lockdown for a brief period of time until the subject was apprehended. No students were outside at the time of the incident.
NOPD detectives said Bell is a suspect in a shooting that occurred just minutes earlier near the corner of Tupelo Street and North Robertson in the Fifth District’s lower Ninth Ward.
According to NOPD detectives, the shooting involved two adult male victims who were both transported to an area hospital for treatment. One victim was shot in the neck and is in critical condition and the other was shot in the lower right facial area and is listed in stable condition.
NOPD said the handgun Bell was in possession of and the vehicle he was driving are both listed by NOPD as stolen.
The NOPD said the investigation is ongoing.
A criminal history check was conducted on Bell which revealed he is a convicted felon with a lengthy criminal record including a 2013 conviction for attempted second degree murder.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crimestoppers GNO at (504) 822-1111. Tipsters can remain anonymous, do not have to testify and could be eligible for a cash reward.
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