Josiah Arrington was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm following an incident Tuesday night, Oct. 6, at the Riverboat Trailer Park in Addis, Louisiana. The arrest came after Arrington allegedly fired a shot at high school students who were participating in homecoming festivities.
According to the police chief, the teenagers mistakenly went to Arrington’s home, believing it belonged to a friend. The chief stated that Arrington came outside and yelled at the teenagers, who then attempted to leave. As the students were driving away, the chief said Arrington fired a shot that struck their vehicle.
However, Arrington provided a different account of the events leading up to the shot being fired. He claims he was preparing to go outside when he encountered two or three people dressed in all black and wearing masks near his porch. Arrington stated he did not know who they were or why they were on his property. He repeatedly asked them what they were doing in his yard. Arrington claims that as he approached the road, the individuals entered their vehicle and accelerated toward him, forcing him to jump out of the way. He said he then fired one shot, intending it as a warning, not to injure anyone or hit the vehicle. Arrington acknowledged firing the shot but insisted he was not trying to strike the car and did not realize the bullet had hit it. The police chief’s account of the incident did not mention a vehicle driving toward Arrington, instead describing the teenagers as trying to flee when the shot was fired.
Arrington repeatedly emphasized that he was unaware the individuals outside his home were teenagers. He attributed his inability to identify them to the darkness, their clothing, and the masks they were wearing. "I didn't know they was high school students, man," Arrington stated, adding that he has young children and a daughter who recently graduated high school, and would never intentionally hurt children. He expressed regret over the incident, apologizing to the teenagers and their families and acknowledging the experience could have been traumatic for them.
The incident occurred amidst a period where police had received several reports of homecoming pranks escalating beyond traditional activities in the area. The police chief noted that what historically began as students toilet-papering friends’ homes had, in some cases, escalated to property damage. He advised against students wearing masks and all black to disguise themselves during pranks, as police have received reports of students throwing substances like ketchup, mustard, and barbecue sauce on cars, garage doors, and concrete. Reports also included the use of paintball guns, causing damage to homes.
The chief had issued a warning the night before the shooting, urging students to cease damaging property and encouraging parents to monitor their children's activities. While stressing that not all students participating in homecoming traditions were causing problems, he indicated that some had gone too far. He also cautioned homeowners to understand firearm laws, emphasizing that individuals fleeing a property does not, by itself, justify shooting at them.
The police chief expressed gratitude that no one was injured in Tuesday’s incident, stating it "could have ended much differently." He urged individuals with children not to fire shots at or toward them, particularly if they are attempting to get away. The chief encouraged parents to remain aware of their children's whereabouts and activities to prevent homecoming traditions from turning traumatic.