An incident at the Chili’s Restaurant in Ruston led to gunfire Sunday night and the arrest of a Monroe man.
Ruston Police responded to the restaurant on the North Service Road about 10 p.m. Sunday night. A vehicle driven by Lashaun Auston, 24, collided with a patrol car as he attempted to flee the scene. Auston was taken into custody after he said he had shot a pistol. Auston refused to make further statements and was taken to the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.
A woman identified herself to police as the victim. Video evidence was also obtained from witnesses. Based on the videos and victim’s statement, it was determined Auston had pointed a firearm at the victim in the parking lot while yelling at her. Auston discharged the firearm into the ground. The video also showed Auston shoving the victim before attempting to flee the scene.
Austin submitted to a breath test at the detention center which showed his blood alcohol concentration was .124g%. Auston reportedly told the officer accompanying him to the detention center that he was homicidal and suicidal. He was taken to the Northern Louisiana Medical Center where he received medical attention and was then discharged.
A semi-automatic pistol was recovered from the front seat of Auston’s vehicle.
Auston was booked for aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal use of a weapon, simple battery, disturbing the peace by appearing intoxicated in public, first offense DWI, reckless operation of a vehicle, and expired inspection sticker.
Bail was set at $231,500.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
