BOGALUSA, La. — A grandmother was killed in a drive-by shooting in Bogalusa.
The shooting happened around noon on Tuesday, Aug. 23. Police say several shots were fired at a house in the 1400 block of Main Street while multiple people were inside the home.
According to Bogalusa Police, 50-year-old Veronique Allen was shot and killed by one of the bullets. Family members say she was sitting in a chair getting her hair done when she was shot in the head.
Allen had four children and several grand children, according to her family.
"Somebody came through shooting and shot my innocent cousin in the head, who never did anything to anybody. Ain't harmed nobody," one of Allen's cousins said. "Everybody in Bogalusa knows her, loves her, cares about her and they took her life. It’s gone. We can’t get that back."
Police are searching for suspects in the case, but said they'll need the public's help to make an arrest.
Bogalusa Police say the suspected vehicle was registered in Western Louisiana and was reported stolen on Tuesday. The vehicle was then located on I-12 heading westbound and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office located the vehicle.
After a lengthy car chase, the suspects abandoned the car and continued their escape on foot. The suspects have not yet been located, but evidence was gathered from the vehicle, according the police.
Bogalusa Mayor Wendy Perrette called for calm after the killing.
“We have had enough violence in Bogalusa, and I call on every citizen to cooperate with police while they investigate this horrible crime,” Perrette said. “The devaluing of human life in the name of the drug trade and gang allegiances should never happen anywhere, and the people of our community are fed up.”
Louisiana State Police, the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office and Bogalusa Police Department are working together on the investigation.
“Bogalusa P.D. can’t do it alone,” the Mayor said. “We need every citizen to stand up, step forward, and unite against crime. We need to seek rational, lawful means to resolve disputes, and never resort to violence. We need our faith community to stand resolutely in reminding people that we worship a God of peace – a God who calls upon all of us to play a role in stemming the tide of violence.”
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