Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: September 24, 2004

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Sgt. Jim Taliaferro, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Suspect Uses Vehicle as Weapon

A Shreveport Police Officer narrowly escaped injury when a suspect attempted to run over him as the he approached the suspect’s vehicle.

At approximately 10:50 PM on Thursday evening, an SPD officer was flagged down by the complainant Mark Withers, who stated his brother, Frederick R. Withers, w/m, 41 was suicidal, intoxicated and armed with a knife. Mark Withers said he had called police earlier that evening regarding his brother’s intoxicated and threatening behavior inside Savoie’s Catering, 2441 E. 70^TH. Caddo Parish Deputies responded at about 10:20 PM but Frederick Withers was gone when they arrived. Caddo initiated a report of the violent and intoxicated behavior of Withers. Mark Withers told police when they were there, he had received a phone call from his brother’s family on St. Charles, that Frederick was trying to forcibly gain entry into the home.

Officer E. Ardoin arrived at 300 St. Charles and was told by family members Frederick had left in a Blue Chevrolet pickup. After canvassing the immediate area, Officer Ardoin located the vehicle, parked, with the suspect inside behind the wheel. As the officer approached the vehicle on foot, he ordered Withers to show his hands. As the suspect began to comply, he put the car in gear and attempted to run over Officer Ardoin who, in an attempt to stop Withers, fired two shots from his service weapon into the vehicle, none of which struck Withers. Withers fled the scene and was pursued by police, subsequently stopped and arrested without further incident. Neither Withers nor Officer Ardoin sustained any injuries.

Withers was booked into CCC for DUI, 1^st offense. Other charges maybe forthcoming pending further investigation.

Officer Ardoin has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending an investigation by Shreveport Police Department Internal Affairs Division.

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View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews