Jessica Goff

jgoff@theadvertiser.com

Lafayette police are dealing with an increased number of firearm-related cases, authorities said.

The Lafayette Police Department is investigating the Thursday night case in which a police officer was shot while searching an apartment for a suspect believed to have been involved in a shooting the night before, department spokesman Cpl. Paul Mouton said.

The officer returned fire and shot the suspect multiple times. Both men were listed in stable condition, Mouton said.

Chase Chaisson, 23, will be arrested for attempted first-degree murder of a police officer, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and second-degree kidnapping and injury to a police K-9 when he is released from the hospital.

Patricka Ledet, 21, of Lafayette, was arrested and charged with principal to attempted first-degree murder and obstruction of justice in connection with the shooting.

Mouton said gun-related crime and complaints are on the rise from previous years. The biggest indication is the number of firearms seized by officers as evidence, he said.

"Whether it's found property or in the commission of a crime or call that involves a weapon; yes, we have seen an increase in the amount of guns that we take in this year compared to last year," Mouton said Friday.

The rise in gun-related issues is what prompted Lafayette Consolidated Government Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux to organized a gun buyback program in June. In total, 21 firearms were turned in through the program. He said the gun problems is about "capacity, frequency and volume."

"The fact of the matter is gun possession, use and theft have remained constant," Boudreax said Saturday. A lot of gun incidents have gone unreported and not dealt with."

"We have a serious problem. Guns are now the primary means of dealing with issues when it used to be last resort. Guns were encouraged to protect person and property. Now it is primarily used to harm person and take property."

Boudreaux said guns are too easily obtained illegally through theft and burglary.

"Top all of that off with the stresses and desperation people are experiencing along with high drug use, and we now know the problem," Boudreaux said. "Today everyone has a gun, but everyone does not need a gun. I said it then and I say it now: If we do not do something soon we are one incident away from a major event or a school shooting."