New details are emerging in the case involving St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith, who is accused of attacking a man at Keith Young’s Steakhouse in Madisonville.
While the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office investigates the allegations, newly uncovered records shed more light on how first responders handled the scene. No arrests or charges have been filed.
The new documents allege that there was trauma, physical assault, abuse and blood.
According to St. Tammany Fire District 2, firefighters were dispatched at about 4:36 p.m. on Friday for a reported assault at the restaurant. Joey Sanders with Fire District 2 said crews were staged outside the business before entering because of scene safety concerns.
“For these types of calls where there may be some type of scene safety factor, we stage in the area,” Sanders said.
Records reviewed by WDSU show firefighters were staged outside the restaurant at 4:41 p.m. and were able to safely enter at 4:47 p.m. They were cleared from the scene at 5:02 p.m.
“No matter who, what’s involved or wherever it may be, we are there to respond, take care of the patient, take care of the citizens of fire district, whether they’re a visitor or they live in the area. All the other stuff is kind of secondary or back of the mind for us because our main goal is to take care and protect everybody,” Sanders said.
A fire incident report states the patient was found sitting in the dining room and said he had been assaulted. He complained of neck pain and a busted upper lip. The report noted there was no active bleeding, although blood was seen on his shirt. A cervical collar was applied as a precaution.
The alleged victim, Bobby Couvillion, told WDSU that he was sitting on a high barstool when he was thrown to the ground.
“I knew he was serious, and he was screaming, ‘You’re a dead expletive punching me, and I’m disoriented because he’s on top of me,” Couvillion said.
Sanders said first responders do not approach calls with judgment.
“We don’t go out on any calls with judgment before or after, no matter what the call is,” he said.
When asked whether he was surprised the sheriff was allegedly involved, Sanders declined to comment.
Keith Young’s Steakhouse did not comment Tuesday about the alleged incident. The sheriff’s office and the attorney general’s office also declined to comment on the circumstances of the case.
Smith’s attorney, Eric Hessler, told WDSU there would be no comment, adding that the sheriff is cooperating with the investigation.
READ MORE:WDSU Investigates: Records allege assault in incident said to involve St. Tammany Sheriff Smith
