SUSPECT SOUGHT IN HAMMOND WALMART FIRE INVESTIGATION
Published 11:04 am Monday, December 26, 2022
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TANGIPAHOA PARISH– The State Fire Marshal’s Office, in collaboration with the Hammond Fire Dept, is actively seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect wanted in connection with a fire inside a heavily-occupied Walmart store in Hammond Christmas Eve night.
Around 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 24, the Hammond Fire Department responded to a call for a fire inside the Walmart store located in the 2700 block of W. Thomas Street. The fire was contained to the paint aisle of the store thanks to quick-acting employees and customers who utilized fire extinguishers to put out the blaze.
Despite the store being occupied by at least 500 customers and employees at the time of the fire, no one was injured and the store was evacuated safely.
Following an assessment of the scene, including obtaining video evidence, deputies determined the fire was intentionally set and are now looking for a male suspect in the case.
In the attached surveillance photographs, the unidentified male can be seen wearing a dark gray or black hoodie sweatshirt, light-colored pants, khaki shoes, and a black beanie cap. He was last seen leaving the parking lot in a dark-colored Ford F-150.
The SFM is asking anyone with information about this person’s identity and whereabouts to either contact Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa, Inc. at 1-800-554-5245 or on tangicrimestoppers.com, the SFM Arson Hotline at 1-844-954-1221 or share the information through our online tip form found at lasfm.org.
A cash reward may be available for tips leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.
