Hammond council asks Louisiana State Police to review McCaskey case after months of community concern

The Hammond City Council voted to ask the Louisiana State Police to review and report back on the incident involving Bobby Ray McCaskey, following months of public questions and several agencies' involvement, the council heard. The resolution passed after lengthy public comment calling for independent review and greater transparency.

Supporters of the resolution said the McCaskey family and community members have received inconsistent information about where the case stands and whether investigations by the FBI or the attorney general's office have advanced. Stanley Campbell, a District 1 resident, said he had contacted agencies and still could not find a concrete status for the matter. "Has anybody made any attempt to actually find out where this case is?" Campbell asked the council during public comment.

The resolution requests that the city clerk provide the state police with the relevant materials the city has already collected so the state agency can review those materials and return its findings. Mayor Pete Panopito and city staff told the council that materials had been forwarded previously to the FBI and the attorney general's office and that some materials were also in a criminal proceeding in the 21st Judicial District Court, but they cautioned that agencies do not always release interim findings while investigations or prosecutions are pending.

Public speakers included Michael Shouse, president of the Greater Tangipahoa Parish NAACP, who said the elapsed time and lack of clear information "is beginning to look like a cover up," and asked the council to press for outside review. Several residents described that the injured person remained in a hospital bed and that family members had difficulty obtaining information. A retired major with nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience urged clarity about whether the resolution sought an independent investigation or a review of the city's prior handling; the sponsor clarified the council is asking the state police to review the materials the city provides and to report back on their findings.

Councilmember Devon Andrews moved the resolution; the motion carried on a roll-call vote recorded by the clerk, with Councilman Andrews, Councilman Leon, Councilwoman Gonzales, Councilman Wells and Councilman Divitario voting in favor. The resolution directs the city clerk to transmit relevant records to the Louisiana State Police and requests a report of that agency's review back to the council.

The council and speakers repeatedly noted limits on what the city can release while criminal proceedings are pending and encouraged family members with legal counsel to obtain materials through judicial discovery. The resolution does not direct prosecution or discipline; it requests an outside review and a formal report to the council.