By Bonnie Culverhouse
Decorrey Bridges may be the first alleged gang member to go to trial in the Ewell Park shooting case from April 2023.
Bridges, 22 of Sibley, is charged with criminal street gangs and patterns of criminal street gang activity, as well as attempted second degree murder and is scheduled to stand trial in 26th Judicial District Court December 11.
Two others – 19-year-old Latavion Thomas and 22-year-old Jacorian Taviccia Germany – pled guilty last month to charges of Criminal Street Gangs and Patterns of Criminal Street Gang Activity – a newly-revised state law. Thomas is the first of the “TTS” or “Trained to Step” street gang to plead guilty and be sentenced.
In exchange for their pleas, they received 8 years at hard labor.
Minden Police Department made seven arrests over several months in the Ewell Park case where four persons went to the hospital with gunshot wounds.
Chief Jared McIver said he had no doubt the shooting was gang related among rivals. Multiple types of guns were reportedly fired.
“Some were semi-automatic weapons, handguns and long rifles,” said the chief.
According to City of Minden Building Official Brent Cooley, the event being held at the city-owned park was a permitted fundraiser for Louisiana Trail Babes and Bandits.
“The estimated number of attendees was 50,” Cooley said. “The hours were from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.”
He also said there were to be no alcoholic beverages present, according to the permit. McIver said he is sure there were more than 100 persons at the park. The shootings reportedly occurred after 7 p.m.
Assistant District Attorney Hugo Holland will try Bridges’ case, while Attorney Patrick Jefferson will be on the defense’s team.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named 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.
