By Richard Meek
Contributing Writer

LAPLACE – St. John Parish Councilman Ranney Wilson apologized to his family and constituents in response to his arrest Saturday afternoon on assault and firearm charges.
Wilson read from a prepared statement early during the council meeting Tuesday night, saying he was “deeply sorry for my actions and sincerely apologize for any embarrassment I brought on my family, my friends, District 2 and my fellow councilmen.”
Wilson, 61, shot a firearm at his son’s pickup truck following an argument, according to a report by the St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office. Wilson told deputies that he and his son, 26, had argued inside the house, and when his son walked outside, the councilman retrieved his handgun and fired several shots into his son’s unoccupied pickup.
“This incident stemmed from a longtime family matter, one that I regret and that sadly escalated into the event you heard about,” Wilson said in his statement. “This is a family matter. I will not comment on it again, and I ask you to respect my family’s privacy as we work through this difficult time. I ask for your forgiveness.”
Wilson was charged with illegal use of a firearm and aggravated criminal damage to property. He was released on a $22,500 bond early Sunday morning.
This was not Wilson’s first brush with the law. In 2003, the councilman was issued a court
summons on a simple battery charge and in 1990 was booked on assault and battery charges.
A longtime parish politico, Wilson has served as councilman in District 4 and District 2. He was elected to the latter when he defeated incumbent Danny Millet in 2012.