With Hurricane Ida tearing through southeast Louisiana and heading into the Baton Rouge area, Zachary police responded to a shooting late Sunday afternoon that left a young man hospitalized with injuries.
"These people have to understand, we all need to be focusing on hunkering down and getting ready for this story, and instead they're out here beefing," said an exasperated David McDavid, the Zachary police chief. "This is very frustrating for us."
First responders in the southernmost parts of the state had already stopped responding to emergency calls because conditions were too dangerous when the Zachary shooting was reported about 3 p.m.
The victim was transported to the hospital, but officials were unsure of his medical condition.
About an hour later, detectives were still processing the scene. The shooting occurred at an address in the 4000 block of Lee Street.
McDavid said police have long been aware of issues at the house. The chief said detectives are working to identify a suspect, and he promised to hold that person accountable.
"I guess somebody's life is just not that important, even during a weather event like this," McDavid said via phone from the scene, the rising winds from an approaching Ida audible in the background.
Officials said the victim was a young man, though his exact age was not immediately available.