Marksville, LA (9/12/2024) – The Avoyelles Parish Courthouse was evacuated on September 12, 2024, after a security scare. At approximately 12:07 p.m., the Avoyelles Parish 911 Communications Center received multiple emergency calls from courthouse staff.
An unknown male, later identified as Jaymes Edward Baker from Mulberry, Florida, reportedly entered the courthouse with fake plastic guns, carrying packages and wearing items that covered his face.
The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office, along with the Marksville City Police, Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Police, and other local law enforcement agencies, responded promptly. For public safety, the courthouse and surrounding area were immediately evacuated and closed.
Authorities searched Baker’s packages and the entire courthouse using a K9 trained to detect explosives. Fortunately, no explosives were found. At around 1:44 p.m., the courthouse and surrounding area were reopened to the public.
Further investigation by APSO detectives revealed that Baker allegedly intended to make a statement about his dissatisfaction with civil proceedings related to a child custody case. He was later arrested for terrorizing and simple assault and was booked into the APSO DC-1 Jail Facility. As of this report, no bond has been set.
This remains an active investigation as authorities continue to gather information about the incident
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