A member of the Louisiana National Guard assigned to hand out hurricane relief supplies at the Alario Center near Westwego was arrested Wednesday night after he brandished a gun and threatened to kill another soldier, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Pvt. Justin Edwards, 22, of Kentwood, became enraged after the unidentified fellow solder kicked him in the genitals while the two were “practicing fighting moves” on each other, said Capt. Jason Rivarde, a Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.
The confrontation occurred about 10 p.m. at the site, 2000 Segnette Blvd., where the National Guard had been providing residents affected by Hurricane Ida with water, ice and MREs. The site closed to the public at 6 p.m.
The soldiers bunk down at the Alario Center overnight, according to Rivarde. Angered by the kick, Edwards allegedly pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the other soldier, Rivarde said. It’s not clear whether the weapon was issued by the National Guard.
Military police took Edwards into custody and contacted the Sheriff’s Office. He was booked with aggravated assault with a firearm, a felony, Rivarde said.
A National Guard spokesperson on Thursday confirmed that Edwards was member and called the matter an internal incident.
“There were that were no civilians around. There was no damage of property or injuries,” Sgt. First Class Denis Ricou said.
Edwards was being held at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna. No bond information was available.
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