A second victim has died as a result of a shooting in Ruston on December 30 and police are seeking help in the case.
Tracy Hampton of Arcadia is the latest victim to die from the gunfire that broke out at about midnight on that Saturday morning at Park Ridge Estates, a townhouse complex off West Alabama Avenue.
Responding officers found one victim on the ground outside one of the townhouses and a second one inside an idling vehicle nearby.
Robert Thompson of Jonesboro and Tracy Hampton of Arcadia were both shot in the head, police said. Both men were taken to Northern Louisiana Medical Center and later airlifted to Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport. Thompson died of his wounds that day.
Hampton was initially placed on life support but has since passed away as well.
The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office said Thompson was believed connected to the October homicide of Devontre “Dee” Jackson and the wounding of a second person on U.S. Highway 167 south of Quitman.
According to JPSO, at approximately 1:35 a.m. Saturday, October 7, a 911 call was received reporting a shooting between North Hodge and Quitman. By the time first responders arrived on the scene, Jackson, the driver, had died. Kurae Cottonham, of Jonesboro, was arrested on October 19 for second degree murder and attempted second degree murder. Thompson was not arrested in the Dee Jackson case, but the connection has fueled speculation the Ruston shooting is related, possibly as retaliation for the October murder.
Investigation into the Park Ridge shooting is continuing by Ruston Police. The department is asking for assistance in identifying the person or persons involved in these homicides. Police can be called direct at 318-255-4141 or tips submitted through Crime Stoppers at 318-255-1111. Callers remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward if the information given leads to an arrest or grand jury indictment.
