By Jacob Brooks
The Daily News
 Advertisement |
Patrolman Craig James, 24, a three-year veteran of Franklinton Police Department was hit once at the base of the neck, but is in "stable but guarded" condition at Lakeview Hospital in Mandeville, Franklinton Police Department Chief Donald Folse said.
Kenneth McClain, 20, of Franklinton opened fire with what may have been a .40-caliber handgun after James had caught up with him on foot at the 1,600 block of Alford Street, police said. Police dredged a pond Tuesday for the weapon, but as of this morning it had not been recovered, police said.
James, the department's K-9 handler and a former Franklinton High football player, still has the bullet lodged inside his skin beneath his left armpit, FPD reported this morning. Doctors are waiting to operate until James is fully stabilized. Folse said the officer is in good spirits and is a real trooper.
"He's always been dedicated to his job," Folse said during a press conference Tuesday. "He's a very proactive policeman."
McClain, known on the streets as "Pickle," has been charged with attempted first-degree murder of a police officer, Folse said, adding police have been dealing with the man since he was a juvenile. McClain was on probation for aggravated assault, battery and drug charges at the time of the shooting - 11:50 p.m. Monday.
The incident began a few moments before, when an officer saw McClain acting suspiciously at a park on the corner of 15th and Alford, Folse said. "We have extensive drug activity in that area," the chief added.
As the officer approached McClain for questioning, the suspect fled and other officers, including James, pursued.
As James began to use the pepper spray, McClain fired five shots, hitting the officer once, the chief said. James was wearing a bulletproof vest.
McClain was able to get away as the other officers on the scene responded to James' gunshot wound.
During the next hour a massive search for McClain ensued, including help from Washington Parish Sheriff's Office, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, Tangipahoa Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police and even U.S. Customs, who brought in high-tech night vision equipment, Folse said. The U.S. Coast Guard and other authorities were preparing to launch helicopters in order to help search for McClain, when the suspect called in to surrender about 1 a.m. McClain was apprehended without incident at his parents' house on 12th Avenue, police said.
James is the first Franklinton police officer to be shot in the line of duty, Folse said. In the late 1980s, an officer died of a heart attack as he was pursuing a suspect.
The shooting proved to be big news for Franklinton, and at least one TV news crew made an uncommon stop to the Washington Parish town for the story.
Folse said he has been receiving a lot of phone calls from residents and community leaders on what they can do to help. He asks community members to keep James and all FPD officers in their prayers.
Comments