Earlier this morning at about 1:48 a.m., the Ruston Police Department responded to a gunshot victim report in the drive through Cane’s on the North Service Road East in Ruston.
Upon arrival officers located an 18-year-old white male suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. The victim was transported by ambulance to the Northern Louisiana Medical Center and then airlifted to LSU Shreveport where he later died due to his injuries.
The victim was identified as Austin Johnson, 18, of Bossier. The investigation found that Johnson was in a vehicle in the drive through with friends when he was shot in the chest accidentally. Investigators charged Matthew Embry, 19, of Dubach, with negligent homicide. Bail was set at $300,000.
This investigation remains active and ongoing. If anyone has information regarding this or any other crime, they are requested to contact the Ruston Police Department’s Criminal Investigative Division at 318-255-4141 or Crimestoppers of Lincoln Parish.
Crimestoppers information can be given in several ways; either by calling 318-255-1111, text a tip to “TIP515 plus your message” to CRIMES (274637), or submitting a tip online at www.rustonlincolncrimestoppers.com. But please keep in mind that crimes in progress should always be reported immediately to the appropriate law enforcement agency or by calling 911.
