Posted on 12/31/2006 12:04:59 PM PST by LdSentinal
Just days before he was to take office, the body of Westlake Mayor-Elect Gerald Washington was found outside the old Mossville High School on Old Spanish Trail. According to authorities with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, the 9-1-1 call came in at 9:49 p.m. from a motorist passing the school who said they saw a body on the ground of the parking lot.
Calcasieu Sheriff's crime scene investigators arrived and found the body of a black male with a single gun shot wound. The body was later identified as Washington. The Calcasieu Coronor's Office is performing an autospy to determine the cause of death.
Westlake City Councilmen Bob Hardey and Danny Cupit were notified and came to the scene. Both say they had spoken to Washington the day before and recall him being excited about taking office.
"It was a total shock to everyone. We are a newly-elected bunch and "Wash" was going to be taking office on Tuesday," said Hardey. "We're missing a good friend and hopefully we'll get through this."
"It's Really hard to believe. It's a tremendous shock. We were looking forward to the next four years. I think we all had a good chemistry between the city council and the new mayor," said Cupit.
The City Council is now looking at the next step to appoint a new mayor. They say they have three options: Elect a mayor pro-temp; Governor Kathleen Blanco could appoint one; or outgoing Mayor Dudley Dixon could remain in office until a special election could be held. Hardey says they plan to have a meeting on Tuesday to discuss all options.
We'll have the latest on the investigation and reaction from Westlake residents Sunday night at 10:30 immediately following the NFL match-up on NBC.
Yes, the Dekalb County Sheriff was murdered by the guy who he beat. Also, uh, African-American.
Oh, a casino area? High crime/organized crime?
Check post #19
There were also several races for mayor around Calcasieu Parish. Lawrence Henagan is the apparent winner in the race for DeQuincy Mayor. Gerald Washington wins in Westlake where incumbent Dudley Dixon did not seek re-election. Washington will become the first African American mayor in Westlake's history. On the Westlake council, incumbents Danny Cupit and Dan Racca keep their seats. Outgoing Mayor Dixon ran unsuccessfully for council against Cupit.
And Hillary! tends to kill them off before they run against her case in point JFK Jr. or just has problems arkencide like foster, brown and the rest. Osama Obama better get a food taster and ride the bus everywhere. LOL
Westlake mayor-elect discovered killed in parking lot (12/31)FROM STAFF REPORTS
WESTLAKE — Gerald "Wash" Washington, the city's newly elected mayor, was found dead of a gunshot wound Saturday night in a parking lot. He was 57.
According to Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office personnel at the scene late Saturday, Washington's body was found next to his pickup truck at the old Mossville High School.
"We received a 911 call at 9:49 p.m. from a passerby who saw a body laying next to a vehicle," said Sheriff's Chief Deputy Gary "Stitch" Guillory. "We investigated and found a black male dead. We identified him as the mayor-elect of Westlake."
Guillory said Washington suffered a single gunshot wound and that a weapon was recovered at the scene. Deputies gave no indication where the bullet struck Washington or what type of gun it was.
Deputies early Sunday were waiting on a search warrant to examine Washington's truck.
Guillory said there were no functions going on at the building at 3301 Old Spanish Trail, which now houses the Calcasieu Parish School System Department of Special Services.
Washington was sworn in Dec. 19 to become Westlake's new mayor. He was elected this fall — defeating Paula Johnson 2-to-1 — to succeed Dudley Dixon, who retired after 24 years.
When he announced his candidacy, he told the American Press: "I would love to see Westlake become a model city for the rest of the world to see a place where everybody is somebody, a community that works together, plays together and reaches out to support and help each other at any time, not only when crises arise."
Upon swearing-in, he said, "We should be a model city. We need the people. We need to get our pride high in Westlake." The theme for the new government was "One City, One Team."
On Friday, he appeared at Dixon's retirement party and presented a jacket to him.
A Conoco retiree, Washington was a veteran member of the City Council and served as the city's mayor pro tempore.
He was a lifelong Westlake resident who graduated from Mossville High and attended Sowela and McNeese State. He was a medal winner as an Army soldier during the Vietnam War.
He co-founded the Westlake Boxing Club and served on the boards of the Calcasieu Women's Shelter and the American Red Cross' Lake Charles chapter.
I have several relatives who live in Westlake. Wonder if they voted for him? It's a very small town. In fact, I used to live in Lake Charles and have worked in Westlake (many moons ago).
I'd be interested in any additional info from Freepers there when it comes available.
You're right, murders only happen in La.
Hi fishergirl, as you know I have relatives in Westlake.
It's a small town. I used to work in Westlake.
Catching any fish?
The Sherrif-elect in DaKalb County, Georgia, was killed before taking office in 2000 by the former Sherrif that he defeated in the election. Some politicians take defeat very badly.
Westlake is small. Only a few thousand people. Right next door to Lake Charles, over the big bridge.
And just by illegals.
I'm in Tennessee and a few years back state Rep. Tommy Burkes was a shot and killed by an opponent. The guy who shot him was a nutcase in a small town where Tommy lived. He ambushed him.
The murderer had been elected clerk of court or something and then ran for Burkes's seat.
This case made the City Confidential show.
Maybe it was a 'throw down'.
The majority is committed by illegals.
Atlanta, about five years ago. Sheriff elect.
Option #2 really sucks! I think #1 and #3 are their best bets.
Is the Dixie Mafia alive and well? Well, Bill?
Entry point of of bullet to rule out suicide.
Check for powder burns on the deceased.
Ballistics to compare to other homicides/shooting incidents.
You're surprised he had no security? How big do you think government is? I'd be surprised if most big cities had security.
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