by Wesley Harris
One man was shot during a melee outside a Ruston restaurant early Sunday morning, according to Ruston Police.
RPD was notified of a disturbance involving a large crowd at Raising Canes at 659 North Service Road East at about 12:48 a.m. on May 24. While officers were responding, several calls were received reporting gunshots had been fired in the parking lot.
When police arrived at the scene, they learned a gunshot victim had already been transported by private vehicle to the Northern Louisiana Medical Center. Hospital staff reported to RPD that a large crowd had gathered outside the emergency room.
Patrol officers and criminal investigators responded to the hospital and contacted with the victim, who had sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The victim is reportedly from Arcadia.
Video recorded in the parking lot and posted on social media showed numerous young males engaged in the melee with others looking on. One young man can be seen knocked to the ground and punched and stomped by at least six others.
This incident remains under investigation. On Sunday afternoon police said no arrests had been made. Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to call the Ruston Police Department at 318-255-4141.
In a second incident that night, a fight among several young women in the midst of a large crowd broke out on Park Avenue between Trenton Street and Monroe Street. Video on social media appeared to show the altercation was primarily between two women but a large crowd gathered with several recording the incident.
