On Sept. 22, 2026, at approximately 8 p.m., Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies responded to Westbrook Street in Pineville regarding a reported disturbance involving a firearm.
According to the victim, they were involved in a verbal altercation with Cameron Malik Key, 28, who allegedly punched the victim, armed himself with a handgun and pointed it at the victim before fleeing into the woods.
Patrol deputies responded and took the initial report before remaining in the area attempting to locate Key. At approximately 10:30 p.m., deputies located Key near the 1200 block of Bayou Maria Road.
The responding patrol deputy approached Key and, while attempting to detain him for further investigation, Key allegedly jerked away and physically resisted the deputy by fighting, resulting in both Key and the deputy going to the ground.
Key allegedly refused multiple verbal commands to remove his hands from his waistband. The deputy deployed a Taser in an attempt to take Key into custody without further incident, but the Taser was ineffective. Key continued to struggle with the deputy, ultimately pulling a firearm from his waistband and fleeing on foot toward Westbrook Street.
Several deputies remained in the area throughout the night and early morning attempting to locate Key but were unsuccessful.
Sheriff’s detectives conducted the investigation, and several arrest warrants were obtained for Key, including charges related to the initial battery and aggravated assault call.
Throughout the day, members of the United States Marshals Service Violent Offender Task Force, along with RPSO detectives, the RADE Unit, RPSO Crime Suppression Unit and RPSO SWAT, remained in the area executing search warrants and searching for Key.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., RPSO K-9s located Key. After a brief foot pursuit, Key was taken into custody without further incident.
Key was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center on numerous charges, including aggravated resisting a police officer with force or violence, battery of a police officer and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He remained in jail at the time of the release on a $551,000 bond.
Sheriff’s detectives said the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges could be added.
RPSO commended the detectives and patrol deputies, as well as the RPSO Crime Suppression Unit, RPSO SWAT Team, Louisiana Probation & Parole and the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Offenders Task Force for their efforts in apprehending Key.
Key is charged with battery; aggravated assault with a firearm; two counts of criminal damage to property greater than $1,000 and less than $50,000; aggravated resisting a police officer with force or violence; aggravated assault upon a police officer; battery of a police officer; carrying a firearm by a convicted felon; and possession of a firearm by a person convicted of domestic violence.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law or administrative action.