An afternoon road rage incident between two men resulted in one man being shot in Slidell.
The incident happened just before 2 p.m. when cops responded to a shooting on Tyler Drive near Gause Boulevard. Cops say it began when two men engaged each over a road rage incident.
At some point, according to police, 45-year-old, Matthew Ledet of Slidell, intentionally stopped his Honda Pilot SUV on Tyler Drive in front 71-year-old, Benjamin Talton’s, Honda Ridgeline truck. Ledet exited his SUV and forcefully struck the hood of Talton’s truck, leaving a dent. Ledet retreated back to his vehicle, at which time Talton exited his truck with a gun and confronted Ledet. At some point during the encounter, cops say, Talton fired one shot from his pistol, which struck Ledet in the arm. The two men retreated to a nearby Chevron gas station where they both stayed on the scene while waiting for police to arrive.
Ledet was transported to University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Talton from Slidell, was arrested and booked into the Slidell City Jail with Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Assault with a Firearm. Ledet, who is still hospitalized, will be facing Disturbing the Peace, Criminal Damage, and Obstruction of a Public Passage charges, upon his release.
“This is a very unfortunate incident, and it could have been completely avoided," Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal said. "I urge all drivers to ignore the temptation of engaging in a road rage incident. Drive away and call 911 if someone becomes aggressive. All too often, these types of incidents can turn deadly. It’s not worth it.”
