Cops have made a string of arrests after a home invasion in Hammond ended with the homeowner killing one of the intruders.
The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office says a couple returned to their Hammond home to find five men had broken in. A violent encounter ensued.
"During the horrific attack, one of the homeowners, fearing for his life and the lives of his family, managed to armed himself with a pair of scissors and began stabbing one of the attackers," according to a TPSO news release. That alleged attacker, Devin Mitchell of Hammond died from his injuries.
Police didn't release details until they apprehended all of the suspects. The attack happened April 12th, but the cops didn't announce the arrests until Wednesday night.
TPSO Chief Jimmy Travis says when the couple arrived home they saw several people outside their house.
"Before they even had a chance to get out of their vehicle, two unknown males opened their car doors, pointed guns in their faces, while pulling them out of the vehicle. The accused subjects began aggressively attacking and beating the couple. Fighting back, the victims were able to break free from the subjects and retreat to inside their residence."
Detectives say, however, they didn't know that other suspects were already inside with their family.
"Unbeknownst to the couple, while the attack was taking place outside, several other subjects made entry into their home - which, at that time , was occupied by family members (one adult and two small children). While inside the residence the violence continued. The accused continued to attack, beat, and pistol whip the residents. Multiple shots were also fired inside of the residence."
When one of the residents killed one of the suspects, the other fled.
"Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives identified five suspects and with the assistance of the Hammond Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit, the Ponchatoula Police Department, and the LA Attorney General’s Office Fugitive Task Force arrested four of the active participants," the news release explained. "the fifth suspect... was killed,"
Travis say all of the suspects are believed to be members of or associated with the “200X” and “La Familia” street gangs.
They are identified as:
Antwon Lewis Seymore, 23, of Ponchatoula
Christopher Austin Jr.(a.k.a. CAPONE), 20, of Hammond
Seionta Dasheawn Bells, 22, of Ponchatoula
A 16 year-old-male juvenile
Devin Mitchell, 26, of Hammond (Killed)
"All four (surviving) subjects are behind bars and charged with First Degree Murder, Attempted Second Degree Murder, (3) counts of Aggravated Second Degree Battery, and (2) counts of Armed Robbery, and Home Invasion."
Three adult victims were hospitalized and treated for their injuries.
“This is a situation where the homeowner was forced to use deadly force to protect his family and himself from armed intruders that entered his home,” Travis said. "The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division did an outstanding job identifying and coordinating the quick apprehension of these dangerous suspects."