Local man shoots child playing hide and seek, thinking she was an intruder
Published 12:04 pm Monday, May 8, 2023
- David Doyle
A Starks man was charged with aggravated assault early Sunday morning after mistaking children playing hide and seek in his yard for intruders and shooting one of them.
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kayla Vincent said deputies were called to a home in Starks in reference to a shooting May 7 and found a 14-year-old girl suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of her head.
Vincent said several juveniles were playing hide and seek in the area and were hiding on the neighbor’s property when the shooting happened.
She said when detectives spoke with the property owner, David V. Doyle, 58, he said he saw shadows outside his home, at which time he went inside and retrieved his firearm.
Vincent said he told Violent Crimes detectives he went back outside, saw people running away from his property and began shooting at them. He said he didn’t know he hit the girl.
Doyle was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with aggravated battery; four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm; and illegal discharge of a firearm. His bond is still pending.
The girl was transported to a hospital out of town to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The investigation is continuing. Det. Lauren Manuel is the lead investigator on this case.