STARKS, La. (AP) — A Louisiana man has been charged with aggravated assault and battery after shooting at children who had been playing hide and seek outside his home, striking a 14-year-old girl, officials said.
The girl suffered a gunshot wound to the back of the head early Sunday, and was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office said in a statement posted on social media Monday.
Investigators learned that several children were playing hide and seek in the Starks neighborhood and were hiding on the neighbor’s property.
David Doyle, 58, told detectives that he got his gun when he saw shadows outside his home and shot at people he saw running away, unknowingly hitting the girl, officials said.
It’s the latest in a series of recent shootings sparked by seemingly trivial circumstances.
Doyle was arrested and charged with aggravated battery, four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and illegal discharge of a firearm, the sheriff’s office said.
It’s not known whether Doyle has an attorney to speak on his behalf.
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office
CPSO ARRESTS MAN FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AFTER SHOOTING
Lake Charles, LA – During the early morning hours on May 7 Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a home in Starks in reference to a shooting.
During the initial investigation, deputies observed a 14 year old girl suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of her head. CPSO Violent Crimes detectives arrived on scene and after further investigation, it was discovered several juveniles were playing hide and seek in the area and were hiding on the neighbor’s property.
When detectives spoke with the property owner, David V. Doyle, 58, Starks, he stated he observed shadows outside his home, at which time he went inside and retrieved his firearm.
He then advised detectives he went back outside and observed people running away from his property, at which time he began shooting at them and unknowingly hit the girl.
Doyle was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with aggravated battery; 4 counts of aggravated assault with a firearm; and illegal discharge of a firearm. His bond is still pending.
The girl was transported to a hospital out of town to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The investigation is continuing. CPSO Detective Lauren Manuel is the lead investigator on this case.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
