Shots were fired in Downtown Lafayette last night, police say.
Two men are in jail today, in separate arrests – both accused of carrying guns downtown. Neither is accused of firing a gun. Police are still investigating the shots, a spokeswoman says.
The arrests happened at about 1 a.m., while downtown was still crowded after Festival International activities had wrapped up.
Martinez Hotard, 19, was booked with two counts illegal carrying of weapons.
Lafayette Police confirmed the accuracy of a Facebook post by the local police union that stated officers working security downtown last night at about 1 a.m. arrested Hotard after he allegedly was in a fight. They found a weapon on them during their pat-down and shots were fired.
Here is the exact language of the post from the union:
“On April 27, 2019 just after 1AM officers with the Lafayette Police Department were working foot patrol and mounted patrol, in the downtown area due to large crowds left over from Festival International. The defendant was involved in a fight and was subsequently detained. Upon conducting a pat down of the defendant a firearm was located illegally concealed on his person,” the union post states. “While in the process of effecting an arrest multiple shots rang out in close proximity causing the crowds to began stampeding away from the gunshots. Every single officer in that area turned toward the gunshots and ran to them with the intention of saving lives.
The men and women of the Lafayette Police Department have proven on more than one occasion at post festival events they will run to gunfire when other runs away. They are the reason Festival International de Louisiane is possible and their service to our community is both courageous and devoted. We will always #BackTheBlue”
Here’s the post itself:
Another man, Malik Charles, 22, was arrested downtown after police found he was carrying guns. He was booked with two counts illegal carrying of weapons.
Here’s that post:
