Three arrested after Southeastern Louisiana University student overdoses

Bella Dardano
·2 min read
1

Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

HAMMOND, La. (WGNO) — Three people were arrested after a Southeastern Louisiana University student overdosed.

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Hammond city officials said the Hammond Police Department, the Ponchatoula Police Department, the Southeastern Police Department, Louisiana State Police, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Homeland Security Investigations and the 21st JDC District Attorney’s Office are involved in the investigation.

  • Kawaiishh Brown (left), Shyhiem Pines (middle) and Mark Fridge III (right) (Courtesy: Hammond Police Department)
    Kawaiishh Brown (left), Shyhiem Pines (middle) and Mark Fridge III (right) (Courtesy: Hammond Police Department)
  • (WGNO/Ashley Hamilton)
    (WGNO/Ashley Hamilton)

During a news conference on Thursday, March 28 investigators said the victim was a local, female student and that the drugs were from someone who isn’t a student.

HPD officers said Mark Fridge III, 21, Shyheim Pines, 29, and Kawaiishh Brown, 50, all of Ponchatoula, were arrested and charged in connection to the overdose.

The three suspects in this case are facing multiple charges. Two of them are booked with attempted murder and authorities said the third suspect will likely be charged with that as well.

It’s the first of many cases the new Fentanyl Overdose Response Team plans to investigate.

“We are going to charge these criminals that are selling the dope that is having people get poisoned or close to losing their lives with attempted murder charges. We are willing to be the pioneers to go after these drug dealers,” said Hammond Police Chief Edwin Bergeron.

Fridge is accused of distributing drugs to the student, after allegedly buying the heroin from Pines. During a search warrant at Brown’s home, police say they found numerous guns and drugs.

Bergeron explains nobody is safe when it comes to people putting poison on the streets.

“No matter the economic status or political status, or any status that feel like they are completely above the this and can’t be affected by the narcotics and issues we have in our community,” said Bergeron.

Sadly, one student says the news of a student overdosing doesn’t surprise her, even RAs are asked to carry Narcan at all times.

“This isn’t something I think anyone other than RA’s and people that live on campus, but apparently there has been a very bad fentanyl issue going,” said Southeastern student Claudia.

It’s something she stays away from and wishes other students did too.

“My family has had problems with addiction, so I have always been told you know stay away from all that. Don’t ever do any of that because it just leads down a bad path,” said Claudia.

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