Crime
38-year-old Gregory Stevens charged after reports of an active shooter prompted the evacuation at Acadiana Mall
Witnesses reported that Stevens was acting erratically, which raised alarm among patrons.
A Lafayette man has been taken into custody following a report of a potential active shooter that led to the evacuation of the Acadiana Mall on Thursday evening.
The Lafayette Police Department (LPD) responded to a call around 5:30 p.m. regarding a person reportedly armed with a firearm inside the Acadiana Mall on Johnston Street, according to LPD spokesperson Matthew Benoit.
The report prompted an immediate response from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Lafayette Parish Sheriffโs Office and Louisiana State Police.
Officers conducted thorough interior and exterior sweeps of the mall, but no armed individuals were located, Benoit confirmed.
Rumors on social media suggested gunshots were heard during the incident. However, Benoit clarified:
โOfficers have no information confirming that shots were fired during the incident. During the evacuation, several businesses began closing their roll-down security doors, creating loud slamming sounds throughout the building, accompanied by people yelling and fleeing the area.โ
The investigation revealed that Gregory Stevens, 38, entered the mall on Thursday evening. Stevens, a former mall security guard, had been terminated from his position in December and banned from the property.
Witnesses reported that Stevens was acting erratically, which raised alarm among patrons.
Stevens was later apprehended at a residence on Pleasant View Drive. He was booked into custody and faces the following charges:
- Terrorizing
- Trespassing
- Active warrant for possession of a stolen firearm
Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing.
LPD has reassured the public that there is no ongoing threat and that the swift response by law enforcement ensured the safety of all mall patrons and employees. Law enforcement continues to urge individuals to report any suspicious activity.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. โ Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.