By Bonnie Culverhouse
Minden Police have made an arrest from last week’s “shots fired” incident on Carolina and Jackson streets.
Reggie Smith, 41, of the 900 block of Elm Street, was arrested for interfering with a law enforcement investigation and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Chief Steve Cropper said Det. Shane Griffith located one of the vehicles involved in the 900 block of Elm Street, along with another resident John Reed.
“Reed stated he lives at the residence with Smith,” Cropper said. “Det. Griffith said he observed Reed exiting the home and felt a search of the residence was necessary. Smith told officers he would have to clear it with his wife.”
A short time later, LeShawn Alexander arrived on the scene and reportedly identified herself as Smith’s wife. Cropper said Griffith found it difficult to conduct an interview with Smith and his wife in the same vicinity, while talking over one another.
“Det. Griffith could not continue as Smith continued to interfere,” Cropper said. “Eventually, his wife said she didn’t know what to do about the search.”
Smith was reportedly taken into custody for interfering with the investigation. Det. Kenny James was asked to prepare a search warrant that was signed by Judge Michael Craig.
“When the warrant was received and the search conducted, officers observed a Revelation .410 pump shotgun leaning against the wall,” said the chief. “A Mossberg .410 bolt action shot gun was leaning against the wall, a Savage 300 WIN MAG was next to a bed that Smith later admitted he was sleeping in.
“Officers also located a Taurus 9MM handgun in the kitchen on top of a cabinet, which was near the rear of the residence,” Cropper continued. “All firearms and ammo were photographed and secured as evidence.”
Smith was booked at the Minden Police Department, where a records search showed Smith was a violent felon offender, having been convicted of 7 counts of attempted 1st degree murder and aggravated arson in 1998.
He was sentenced to 19 years and released in 2015. His probation ended in 2017. In 2018, Smith was arrested for armed robbery with a firearm in Iberia Parish.
