Lafayette: Neighbor Shot At While Foiling Early Morning Burglary

Alert Neighbor Interrupts Early Morning Crime Spree

A potentially deadly situation was narrowly avoided in Lafayette, Louisiana, when a highly vigilant resident bravely intervened in an ongoing neighborhood crime very early in the morning. At approximately 5:30 a.m. on May 15, a man living in the typically quiet 100 block of Holly Street received an automated security alert directly on his smartphone, instantly notifying him of unexpected and suspicious motion near his driveway. Deeply concerned for the safety of his property, the resident courageously stepped outside in the pre-dawn hours to investigate the unexpected disturbance. He quickly discovered an unknown male individual who was actively and systematically attempting to burglarize several parked vehicles as well as a neighboring residence. In a selfless act intended to protect his neighborhood, the resident directly approached the suspect and attempted to speak with him, completely unaware of the grave and imminent danger he was about to face.

Cornered Suspect Opens Fire Before Fleeing

The tense confrontation took a terrifying and violently unexpected turn when the suspect, suddenly realizing that his criminal activities had been discovered and that he was caught red-handed, violently escalated the already volatile situation. With absolutely no warning, the desperate intruder quickly drew a concealed handgun and recklessly fired multiple shots directly at the intervening and unarmed neighbor. Immediately following the chaotic burst of gunfire, the suspect frantically fled the residential area on foot, managing to escape just before authorities could arrive on the scene. The Lafayette Police Department responded incredibly swiftly to the frantic 911 reports of a shooting in progress. Upon their rapid arrival, responding officers painstakingly secured the chaotic crime scene and were immensely relieved to confirm the incredibly fortunate news that the brave neighbor had miraculously not been physically struck by any of the flying bullets and that absolutely no other innocent bystanders had sustained any injuries during the harrowing ordeal.

Suspect Arrested and Heavy Felony Charges Filed

Following a highly diligent, thorough, and intensive investigation conducted by local detectives, the Lafayette Police Department successfully identified and relentlessly tracked down the alleged shooter. Police officially obtained a signed arrest warrant for 26-year-old Demarko Alfred, a resident of Lafayette, who was subsequently located and safely taken into police custody on Wednesday. Alfred is now rightfully facing a long litany of very serious and severe felony charges, which firmly include attempted second-degree murder, attempted burglary of an inhabited building, aggravated criminal property damage, illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and five separate and distinct counts of attempted burglary of a motor vehicle. The dangerous suspect is currently being securely held at the local Lafayette Parish Jail, with his total bail bond sternly set at $155,000, as he awaits trial for his incredibly reckless, violent, and life-threatening actions.