Hostage escapes from gun-wielding assailant
, cassandra@rustonleader.com
05-01-2007
A Ruston man apparently
committed suicide on Monday as local law enforcement tried to get him to
surrender in connection to an incident that occurred earlier that day at a home
just over the Jackson Parish line. Jackson Parish Sheriff Andy Brown said his office received a report that Ronald Butch Mack, 65, had gone to a home on Riser Road armed with a pistol, shotgun and knife.
“(The victim) said she came home to discover him under the carport,” Brown said. “He pointed the gun at her and asked her to come in the house. She knew him; I’m not sure of their relationship, but apparently she had had problems with him in the past.”
Brown said the victim was able to talk to Mack and calm him down.
She reportedly told him that she would give him a ride back to his truck, which he had parked in nearby woods.
“She got in the car making him believe her intention was to take him back to his truck, locked the door and sped away,” he said.
“On her way to the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office, she ran into a neighbor and told them what had happened, who in turn called us.”
Brown said the JPSO sent units to the home to make sure Mack was not there and discovered that he had apparently knocked out the back patio door. The shotgun and knife were left in the house.
“Some time later, we were able to talk to the victim and get more details about what had gone on,” he said. “We got a warrant for aggravated burglary and we are going to pursue other charges.”
A copy of that warrant was faxed to the LPSO, who had received the original complaint from the victim. One of Mack’s family members apparently found a possible suicide note that was given to deputies, and they responded to Owens Funeral Home, which was a location listed in the note.
Lt. Curtis Hawkins, public information officer with the Ruston Police Department, said they were called in to assist after Mack was located at Owens.
“Our officers and tactical units responded and there was a negotiations process that lasted approximately 40 minutes,” Hawkins said.
“An ambulance from Ruston Ambulance Service was also called to the scene and were on standby.”
Hawkins said at approximately 4:55 p.m., negotiations became “unproductive,” and Mack shot himself once in the upper torso.
“He received immediate medical care on the scene and was transported to Northern Louisiana Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries,” he said.”
Brown said some questions about the incident linger, including what may have led to Mack’s state of mind.
“This is a sad situation,” Brown said.
“These are tragic events and my condolences go out to the Mack family. I wish he could have been apprehended and perhaps gotten some help. No one else was hurt, and I’m grateful for that.”
Funeral arrangements for Mack are incomplete under the direction of Owens Memorial Funeral Home.
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