On Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at 7:53 am, two individuals reported to the Berwick Police Department that a man was inside of a store in Berwick and made threats to “shoot up” a store in the Bayou Vista area. Berwick Police officers and detectives immediately began investigating and coordinated with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office so the business in Bayou Vista could be secured. Based upon the witness statements and their description of the suspect, detectives were able to quickly identify the suspect and take him into custody at his residence within minutes of the threats being made.
The suspect was identified as 75-year-old Donald Johnson of Fourth St. in Berwick. At the conclusion of the investigation, Johnson was placed under arrest for Terrorizing and detectives determined that these threats were not credible. However, any threats of violence made against the public will be investigated thoroughly and any criminal charges that apply will be enforced. Chief of Police David Leonard commends the public for reporting these threats immediately to the police and he also thanks the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office for their swift response to their local business to get it secured.