Alleged altercation leads to two arrests by Abbeville Police

On March 19, at approximately 10:30 p.m. patrol officers with Abbeville Police Department responded to Abbeville General Hospital in reference to a battery complaint.
The initial investigation concluded that the male victim and the suspect, identified as Walter Bessard, got into a verbal altercation at a local business. During the argument, Bessard allegedly punched the victim in the face, causing major lacerations to the victim’s face. It was reported that Bessard, then walked up to the driver’s side window of the victim’s vehicle pointed a firearm and threatened the victim and the victim’s child who was inside the vehicle. The victim fled the scene and drove to the hospital to seek medical attention.
Investigating officers went to Bessard’s residence, where they observed Bessard getting out of the back seat of a vehicle being driven by Damien Harris. During the arrest of Bessard, he was found to be in possession of (2) one ounce bags of suspected marijuana and (1) .40 caliber bullet.
Officers asked Harris for permission to search his vehicle to see if Bessard left a handgun inside the vehicle. Harris refused to grant permission. Officers obtained a search warrant to search the vehicle.
During the subsequent search, Officers located a loaded .40 caliber handgun and another one ounce bag of suspected marijuana under items of clothing on the back seat of the vehicle. The ammunition loaded inside of the handgun matched the ammunition that was found on Bessard’s person.
Officers located a second loaded handgun under the front driver’s seat of the vehicle. Suspected marijuana and a digital scale were located on the front seat of the vehicle.
Harris was subsequently arrested.
A check of the firearms determined that the firearm found on the back seat had been reported stolen.
Bessard and Harris were booked and transported to the Vermilion Parish Correctional Facility.
Walter Jerome Bessard, 37, of Abbeville was charged with:
• Second Degree Battery
• Aggravated Assault with a Firearm (2 counts)
• Possession with intent to Distribute Marijuana
• Possession of a C.D.S. within a School Zone
• Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
• Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a C.D.S.
• Illegal Possession of a Firearm in a School Zone
• Possession of a Stolen Firearm

Damien Joshua Harris, 33, of Abbeville was charged with:
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Possession of Marijuana
• Possession of a C.D.S. within a School Zone
• Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
• Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a C.D.S.
• Illegal Possession of a Firearm in a School Zone