Police Say Deadly Ambush Was Case Of Mistaken Identity, Innocent Woman Caught In Gunfire
A woman described by police as a completely innocent victim was shot and killed early Thursday morning after gunmen opened fire on a vehicle at a gas station in Hammond.
Investigators say the deadly shooting happened around 1:15 a.m. on June 4 at the Chevron located at 3123 Highway 190 West. Authorities are now searching for multiple suspects who fled the scene after firing what police estimate was between 70 and 80 rounds.
Police Believe Victim Was Not Intended Target
According to Hammond Police Chief Edwin Bergeron, investigators believe the suspects may have mistaken the victim for someone else.
Officers responding to reports of gunfire discovered a 50-year-old woman, identified by police as Patricia, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside a parked vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The lady in the car, Ms. Patricia, who has lost her life, was an absolutely innocent victim in this," Bergeron said.
Investigators believe the suspects were targeting another individual and incorrectly identified the vehicle before carrying out the attack.
Surveillance Video Captures Deadly Ambush
Police say security footage from the Chevron captured much of the incident.
According to the Hammond Police Department, a gray sedan was parked at one gas pump while a white sedan stopped at a neighboring pump. Video allegedly shows two suspects dressed in dark clothing exiting the front and rear passenger sides of the white sedan.
Authorities say both suspects were armed with what appeared to be AR-style pistols.
The suspects then allegedly opened fire on the rear passenger side of the gray sedan, where the victim was seated. Police say the gunmen continued firing as they returned to their vehicle before speeding away westbound on Highway 190 toward Interstate 55.
Suspects May Be Connected To Stolen Vehicle
Investigators have also revealed that the suspects' vehicle was reportedly stolen during a carjacking in McComb, Mississippi, earlier this week.
Police currently believe two to three individuals may have been involved in the shooting and are actively working to identify everyone connected to the crime.
Community Asked To Help Identify Gunmen
The brazen nature of the shooting has stunned residents across southeast Louisiana, particularly as investigators believe the victim was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Hammond Police Detective Dustin Williams at 985-277-5755, email williams_dj@hammond.org, send a message through the Hammond Police Department Facebook page, or contact Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa at 1-800-554-5245.
Authorities say anonymous tips may qualify for a cash reward.
Investigation Remains Active
As detectives continue reviewing surveillance footage and pursuing leads, investigators are urging anyone who may have seen suspicious activity around the Chevron on Highway 190 early Thursday morning to come forward.
Police have not announced any arrests, and the investigation remains ongoing.
For now, authorities say the focus remains on finding those responsible for a shooting that claimed the life of a woman they believe was never the intended target.