Ashley Mott

amott@thenewsstar.com

A Monroe couple were booked into Ouachita Correctional Center on obstruction of justice charges following an accidental shooting Thursday night.

Monroe Police Department officers responded to a call concerning a possible gunshot victim at 1002 Park Ave. Officers reported that a sleeping victim was struck in the abdomen by a small-caliber bullet and had to undergo surgery.

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Upon investigation, officers found a bullet hole in the ceiling above the victim's bed. Officers obtained a search warrant for the upstairs apartment at the address and saw a bullet hole in the floor.

According to the arrest affidavit, the resident of the apartment, Cole Meche, 19, said he accidentally fired the shot. Meche and his girlfriend, Hannah Tribe, 19, are accused of providing false information to officers during an initial interview and attempting to hide the gun.

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Tribe reportedly said she and Meche had discussed getting rid of the gun. Arrest records report Tribe as stating the gun could either be hidden in her purse or the vacuum cleaner. A 9 mm gun later was recovered from the residence.

Tribe was booked on a felony charge of obstruction of justice. Meche was booked on felony charges of obstruction of justice and a misdemeanor charge of negligent injuring.

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