Authorities Asking for Help Identifying Suspect in Connection with Christmas Eve Fire at a Walmart Store

Hammond, Louisiana - The Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office (LASFM), in conjunction with the Hammond Fire Department, is actively seeking the public's assistance in identifying and locating a person wanted in connection with a fire that occurred on Christmas Eve night inside a crowded Walmart in Hammond, Louisiana.

On Saturday, December 24 at around 6:00 p.m., the Hammond Fire Department responded to a call about a fire at the Walmart in the 2700 block of West Thomas Street. The fire was restricted to the paint aisle of the store by personnel and customers who used fire extinguishers to extinguish the blaze.

Even though the store was occupied by at least 500 customers and personnel at the time of the incident, no one was harmed and the store was successfully evacuated.
Deputies believed the fire was intentionally lit after assessing the site and gathering video evidence and are now searching for a male suspect.
The unnamed individual can be seen wearing a dark gray or black hooded sweatshirt, light-colored slacks, khaki shoes, and a black beanie cap in the surveillance videos. He was last seen exiting the parking lot in a Ford F-150 that was dark in color.

The LASFM is requesting that anybody with information concerning the identity and whereabouts of this individual contact Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa, Inc. at 1-800-554-5245 or on tangicrimestoppers.com, the LASFM Arson Hotline at 1-844-954-1221, or our online tip form at lasfm.org.

Tips leading to an arrest and conviction in this case may be eligible for a monetary prize.

A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.