Holly MatkinMangham, LA – A Mangham police officer is in critical condition after being shot in the abdomen during a traffic stop on Saturday.
Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb said the shooting occurred after Mangham Police Department (MPD) Officer Marshall Waters conducted a traffic stop on Louisiana Highway 425 near the Richland-Franklin parish line at approximately 1 p.m. on Oct. 17, KATC reported.
As Officer Waters stepped out of his patrol vehicle, the driver of the vehicle he stopped opened fire, shooting him in the lower abdomen beneath his ballistic vest, police said.
The alleged gunman, later identified as 27-year-old Hermandus Semien, fled southbound from the scene and into Franklin Parish, the MPD said in a Facebook post.
Officer Waters was rushed to Franklin Medical Center, and was later airlifted to Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria in critical condition.
“Marshall is undergoing emergency surgery to control a vascular hemorrhage,” the Northeast Louisiana Ambulance Service (NLAS) said in a Facebook update at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday. “He has suffered life-threatening injuries. His condition is extremely critical.”
While Officer Waters was fighting for his life, the Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office (FPSO) received a call of a crash on Louisiana Highway 562 near Fort Necessity at approximately 2:30 p.m. involving a vehicle that matched the description of the car that fled the scene of the shooting, according to the MPD.
Deputies responded to the scene and took Semien into custody without further incident, KATC reported.
According to police, the gunman was still armed at the time of his arrest, the News Star reported.
The Louisiana State Police said he has been charged with armed robbery, attempted first-degree murder of a police officer, and theft of a motor vehicle.
Semien has also been accused of robbing a Ville Platte pharmacy in September while dressed as a chipmunk, KATC reported.
Officer Waters remained hospitalized in critical, but stable, condition on Sunday morning, the MPD said in a Facebook post.
“Update for Officer Marshall Waters this morning he did good through the night, all vitals are good, following commands with eyes, fingers, legs,” the post read. “Will know more once surgeons come on shift as to what next step is to take and family will get to see him around 4:30 today. Please keep the prayers coming.”
By Sunday evening, Officer Marshall was responding to verbal commands.
“His prognosis is good,” NLAS said in a Facebook update. “He has a great team caring for him at Rapides Regional Medical Center. We are thankful for your prayers. He is, too.”
In addition to working part-time for MPD, Officer Waters also serves as a full-time emergency medical technician with NLAS, KATC reported.
“He is an individual who spends most, if not all, of his time dedicated to public service and public safety,” NLAS spokesperson Shane Scott told the news outlet.
