By Pat Culverhouse

A shooting allegedly arising from a domestic incident on April Fool’s Day has put a Haynesville man in the hospital with a gunshot wound to his leg. Investigators say the wound is not believed to be life-threatening.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said 30-year-old Gabriel Elginby, Haynesville, was shot once as he reportedly moved aggressively toward his uncle, 51-year-old James Patrick Lumpkin of Homer, while brandishing a knife.

WPSO investigators said Lumpkin had gone to the Pistol Thomas Rd. residence to check on his sister after being informed of an altercation between Elginby and his sister’s boyfriend. Lumpkin reportedly stepped outside the residence after Elginby allegedly threatened him.

“Our investigators, Major Phillip Krouse and Detective Spenser White, were told Mr. Elginby came from inside the residence carrying a knife and was threatening to stab Mr. Lumpkin,” Parker said. “Witnesses verified he was aggressively coming toward Mr. Lumpkin, screaming threats.”

Parker said Lumpkin told investigators he retreated to his vehicle, retrieved a 9MM handgun and asked Thomas to stop advancing toward him.

“According to Mr. Lumpkin’s statement to investigators, which was verified by witnesses, he continued to back away several steps as Mr. Elginby advanced and asked him to put the knife down many times,” Parker said. “When Mr. Elginby quickened his steps toward Mr. Lumpkin, he fired one shot and hit him in the leg.”

Parker said investigators are continuing to  conduct witness interviews and review the crime scene. 

“We will turn the results of our investigation over to the District Attorney’s office and they will determine what, if any, charges will be filed,” Parker said.

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.