Two Opelousas men, linked to a shooting, are booked into jail. Last night, investigators arrested 28 year old Christopher Sam of Opelousas for a reported shooting Tuesday night on Ina Claire Drive. Police say no one was injured, but they found 3 empty 7.62 casings at the scene, the ammunition used in an AK-47 assault rifle.
Investigators working with information provided by patrol officers determined the intended target was 26 year old Xavier Payne of Opelousas. Police say Sam and Payne were involved in a fight at another location before the shooting. Last night, police say they found Payne on Ina Claire Drive. When they approached him, police say Payne had a 380 caliber handgun in his vehicle. Payne, a convicted felon, was taken into custody. Investigators say they then found a small amount of marijuana. Payne was charged with Felon in poss of a firearm, poss of schedule 1 drug, illegal poss of a firearm in the presence of a control dangerous substance, and driving under suspension.
A short time alter, investigators say they found Sam at his mother's home on Halphen Street. Investigators were granted permission to search the residence. Investigators say they found a 60 round magazine (clip) along with a small amount of marijuana. Sam was taken to the Opelousas Police Department's Special Operations Office where he was interviewed and confessed to shooting at Payne. He then provided a location of the assault rifle where it (the AK-47) was located and seized. Sam was transported to OPD headquarters where he was booked for Possession of Marijuana and Agg. Assault with a Firearm and jailed in the OPD jail.