Trio charged with attempted murder after gunshot exchange put school on lockdown

GEISMAR, La. (WAFB) - The Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested the three people who are reportedly responsible for a middle school being put into lockdown after they allegedly shot at each other at a nearby store.

Deputies said they arrested Brandon Ellis, 27, of Darrow; Armarius Williams, 20, of Darrow; and Marques Gipson, 18, of Geismar.

A vehicle involved in a shots fired incident was found and the two men involved arrested after... — A vehicle involved in a shots fired incident was found and the two men involved arrested after they fled from deputies, according to the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office.(Submitted)

It happened around 10 a.m. Thursday morning, Jan. 19, at a store on Highway 74 near Old Jefferson Highway.

Investigators said Ellis and Williams reportedly approached Gipson while he was exiting a store, and the three men opened fire at each other.

Gunshots hit a nearby store and several parked vehicles, but no one was injured, they said.

Prairieville Middle School was put into lockdown while law enforcement searched for the suspects, the school system confirmed.

Ascension Parish Schools released the following statement:

Sheriff Bobby Webre said deputies found the vehicle involved in the incident and arrested two men, Brandon Ellis and Armarius Williams, who had fled from them.

The scene was secured without anyone being injured, officials confirmed.

Deputies later arrested a third suspect, Marques Gipson, at a nearby home along Highway 74 after learning he was also involved, they said.

Ellis was charged with attempted second-degree murder, aggravated flight, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a stolen plate, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and illegal use of a weapon.

Brandon Ellis — Brandon Ellis(Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office)

Williams was charged with attempted second-degree murder, aggravated flight, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, aggravated damage of property, illegal use of a weapon, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession of a stolen plate.

Amarius Williams — Amarius Williams(Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office)

Gipson was charged with four counts of attempted second-degree murder, five counts of aggravated damage to property, illegal use of a weapon, and possession of a stolen firearm.

Marques Gipson — Marques Gipson(Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office)

Sheriff Webre thanked his deputies for their quick response and arrest of the suspects, saying that their professionalism, training, and determination were evident.

“Let this be a message to those who intend to inflict harm on the citizens of Ascension that we will not stand by and allow violence to overtake our community. By the grace of God, no innocent bystander was hurt, or worse, killed,” he said.

This is an ongoing investigation.

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