A suspect was being booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center 1 by deputies on July 31 around 5:50 pm when a struggle occurred with the suspect when he retrieved a small handgun concealed in his crotch area and shot himself in the head.

According to initial information, upon arrival at the jail, the arrestee was being processed, which included being strip searched by Corrections Deputies.

During the search, the arrestee became non-compliant with the Deputy attempting to conduct the search, forcing is way out of the search area and into a hallway inside of the jail, at which time he retrieved the handgun from inside his shorts and discharged one round, striking himself in the head.

Medical aid and life saving measures were immediately began by Corrections Deputies and medical staff. Pafford Ambulance arrived on scene and transported the subject to a local hospital.

The subject remains in the hospital in critical condition at the time of this release.

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, Corrections Security Investigators, and the Internal Affairs Investigators are currently conducting their investigation.