St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann says a sale arranged on social media turned into a sexual assault, led to a car theft and chase, and ended with the perpetrator fatally shooting himself in the head.
Sheriff Pohlmann said the victim, a 25-year-old woman, was selling some electronics to a man who had contacted her via social media. They agreed to meet on Ashley Drive in Violet.
"When she exited the vehicle, she was approached by a male who asked her to enter a side gate of a residence," said Pohlmann. "As soon as she got through the side gate, the perpetrator brandished a weapon, and at that point he made her go towards the back of the house and sexually assaulted the victim."
The sheriff said the criminal then stole the woman's car and fled the scene. She called 911.
"Deputies shortly identified the vehicle going down St. Bernard Highway towards Arabi," said Pohlmann. "At that point we attempted to stop the vehicle, and the vehicle fled into New Orleans."
Sheriff Pohlmann says attempts to stop the vehicle failed, and the car eventually got involved in a wreck with two other cars on the Judge Seber Bridge over the Industrial Canal.
"Our deputies made a tactical response and entry to the vehicle, where we discovered the perpetrator of the crime in the vehicle with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head."
The sheriff said deputies attempted to give aid and called paramedics. EMTs pronounced the suspect dead on the scene.
Sheriff Pohlmann urged people who arrange to meet strangers face-to-face after meeting online to do so in a safe area.
"There's meeting places, there's safe places you can go, including our substations at the sheriff's office here in St. Bernard Parish," said the sheriff. "If you're going to sell anything online and you're going to go to unknown areas to you, and meet unknown people, just have them meet you in a safe place."
Sheriff Pohlmann said the victim is recovering at University Hospital.
