Incident Involving Louisiana Officer
Officials from the Louisiana State Police reported a troubling event on Monday, where a man allegedly launched a “deliberate and targeted” attack against officers. The individual is currently in a critical condition at Baton Rouge Hospital.
The suspect, identified as Gad Black, 41, is accused of driving a Ford F-150 truck into Sergeant Caleb Isworth, who was returning home on his police motorcycle. Reports indicate that Black struck Isworth, causing him to be thrown from his vehicle and dragged for approximately 500 feet.
Authorities expressed their outrage over this incident. “We are furious at this senseless act of violence and are determined to hold those responsible accountable,” a police spokesperson stated.
Investigators believe the incident occurred around 11 a.m. near the intersection of Greenwell Springs Road and Joa Road. According to local news, Black may have referenced the location in social media posts, boasting about his actions.
One Facebook post reportedly stated, “Check him out on Joa Road,” linking back to the scene of the attack.
Officer Isworth, who has served for 23 years, sustained multiple injuries including two broken bones and a fractured arm.
Black faces charges of attempted first-degree murder against a police officer, with the possibility of additional charges forthcoming.
This situation isn’t entirely new for Black—he faced numerous charges in 2014 after evading the police, an incident that endangered several lives, including his own 9-year-old son, who was a passenger. During that chase, authorities employed spike strips to disable his vehicle. When he attempted to flee on foot, he reportedly attacked both an officer and a police dog.
Interestingly, prosecutors later agreed to a plea deal that reduced his charges significantly, ultimately leading to just three years of probation.
In response to this recent attack, East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sidger True issued a statement highlighting the seriousness of the event, noting, “This deliberate attack on an officer, a parent in our community, strikes at the core of public safety. We stand with Officer Isworth’s family and the entire BRPD community during this trying time.”
