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SBSO ARRESTS MAN FOR ATTEMPTED SECOND DEGREE MURDER IN TORRES DRIVE SHOOTING
The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office arrested a St. Bernard man for attempted second degree murder and weapons charges following a shooting that occurred Tuesday in eastern St. Bernard, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.
Justin Pritchard, 34, of the 2300 block of Torres Drive in St. Bernard community, was booked with attempted second degree murder, hate crimes, carrying a firearm near a firearm-free school zone, and illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities.
On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, shortly after 6 p.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, deputies responded to a call for service in reference to a shooting in the 2300 block of Torres Drive in St. Bernard community.
When deputies arrived on the scene they came into contact with a 14-year-old female suffering from a graze wound to the head. The female juvenile victim was transported to an area hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries and was later released.
Following the shooting, Pritchard barricaded himself inside his home and refused to come out or communicate with deputies for nearly four hours.
According to family members, Pritchard suffers from mental health issues.
Members of the Sheriff’s Office Special Weapons and Tactics or SWAT Team were able to apprehend Pritchard as he tried to escape through a window.
During the course of the investigation, detectives with the Criminal Investigations Bureau recovered several weapons, including two rifles and two shotguns from inside the residence and a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson firearm Pritchard had on his person when he exited his home.
The Sheriff said the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501, the Criminal Investigations Bureau’s tip hotline at (504) 271-TIPS or 8477, or Crimestoppers GNO at (504) 822-1111. Callers to the CIB tip hotline or Crimestoppers can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash award from Crimestoppers.
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