Suspect Arrested & Charged for Sunday Drive-by at Civic Center

In the early morning hours of Sunday, October 5, 2019, at about 6:34am, the Lake Charles Police Department was dispatched to the 900 block of Lakeshore Drive in reference to a weapons complaint.

According to a media release, investigators learned, the suspect, 21-year-old Toni Cartez January, fired multiple rounds from inside a moving vehicle. One of those rounds struck a widow at the Lake Charles Civic Center. Luckily, no injuries were reported, but after further investigation, it was learned January is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm.

January was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with one count of assault by drive-by shooting; one count of possession of a firearm by a person convicted of certain felonies; one count of aggravated criminal damage to property; and one count of possession of Schedule I CDS. His bond was set at $275,000.