What could have resulted in a tragedy was averted after a Ruston Police officer was confronted by an armed suspect Sunday night.
Ruston Police Officer K. Davidson was dispatched to a loud party at about 10:00 p.m. at The Preserve at Tech, an apartment complex at 1913 West Alabama Avenue.
While speaking to the crowd, Davidson observed a male and female in an altercation on the second floor of one of the apartment buildings. The officer ran up the stairs and was attempting to separate the two when the male, identified as Fredrick Smith, 18, of Bernice, reached behind his back and under his clothing and pulled out a handgun. Smith reportedly “racked” the pistol’s slide to chamber a round and pointed the gun at Officer Davidson. The officer pulled her pistol and ordered Smith multiple times to drop his gun. Smith finally complied and was taken into custody.
In an arrest affidavit, Davidson reported several people were standing behind him in the line of fire, including the female, who could have been shot had Smith fired.
Smith was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for attempted first degree murder of a police officer and illegal carrying of a weapon. Bail had not been set as of Monday afternoon.
The Preserve is a privately-owned complex, not part of the Louisiana Tech campus.
