More gang violence in Fair City

It appears the bloody gang violence that shocked Franklinton in 2008 has not entirely subsided.

Last weekend, Franklinton police arrested a man for attempted murder after shots rang out in a neighborhood called the Cotton Field — the same neighborhood that was the site of a violent gunfight between members of the Black Rag Gang and the Iced Out Gang on March 23, 2008, which was Easter Sunday. During that incident, two people, including a 13-year-old boy, died and three others were seriously injured from gunshots.

No one was injured in the latest incident, which occurred Saturday night on the 2300 block of Williams Street, but Rashied Washington, a known member of Iced Out was shot at, police said.

In connection with the Easter tragedy, Washington was arrested on three counts of principal to attempted second-degree murder for handing Earnest Bright a gun that was used in the shootout, police said. Washington has been out of jail on bond for the past several months.

This past Saturday, Washington told police he had been shot at while attempting to get in his vehicle to leave his residence, according to press release from the Franklinton Police Department.

Police identified the alleged shooter as Calvin Brock, and arrested him for attempted first degree murder. Brock is a member of the Black Rag Gang, police said.

“Washington advised officers he and Brock were involved in a verbal and fistic altercation which culminated into the attempted murder,” according to the FPD release.

While Bright and Washington were arrested on attempted murder charges for the Easter shootout, police have yet to charge anyone with the two murders.

“The Franklinton Police Department is committed to the elimination of street gangs in the town of Franklinton,” according to the FPD release.  “Investigators have worked tirelessly with the Louisiana State Police, Drug Enforcement Agency along with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms to continue to make Franklinton a safe place to live.”

Police Chief Donald Folse condemned the latest display of violence and warned further action by either gang would not go unpunished. 

“Our officers are actively seeking out gang members committing crimes and we will not tolerate the type of lawless behavior exhibited by these individuals,” he said.