Co-owner of Liberty Arsenal testifies about day he, brother were shot at Pineville gun store

Michael Paul doesn't remember much about the morning he and his youngest brother were shot, but the 911 call he made sticks out for him.

Paul was the second witness to testify Tuesday in Laquarus Dyon Augstine's second-degree murder trial. Augustine is accused in the May 7, 2021, shooting at Liberty Arsenal in Pineville that killed 52-year-old David Keith Paul.

Ramonte Lamar Jackson, 25, accepted a plea agreement a year ago in the case. Jackson, who was the one who fired the shots inside the store on La. Highway 28 East, was sentenced to life in prison without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence in David Paul's murder.

He received an additional 50 years for the attempted first-degree murder of Michael Paul.

On Monday, Augustine waived his right to a jury trial. The case is being heard by 9th Judicial District Court Judge Greg Beard.

911 call played

Before testimony started, Beard granted a defense motion to quash the indictment against Augustine. He agreed with defense co-counsel Christopher LaCour that when Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Lea Hall severed the attempted armed robbery charge from the second-degree murder charge, his wording essentially changed the charge to first-degree murder.

But Hall told Beard he would change the wording again so the trial could continue. LaCour objected and asked for a continuance, but Beard denied that.

Under questioning from Hall, Michael Paul said he and David had combined their pursuits into one store for a combination gun store and flea market. He testified that he isn't sure how many times he was shot.

He said three bullets were removed from his body, while five remain.

He told Hall he was shot twice in his chest, four to five times across his abdomen, twice in one leg and once in another. He spent two months in intensive care, some of that time in a coma. In all, he spent six months in the hospital and still suffers problems today.

Paul said he had no recollection of the shooting when he woke up. Hall asked him if he remembered the 911 call he made immediately after the shooting.

"That's my major recollection, the 911 call," he said.

The call begins with Paul saying he and David have been shot. The dispatcher tries to get information from him, but he is panicked and in pain.

"Hurry up! I'm bleeding out!" Paul cries.

As the dispatcher connects to Acadian Ambulance, Paul can be heard moaning in pain. The dispatcher asks him about David, who is lying beside him.

"He's not breathing," he said. "Oh, David."

After the call finished, Hall asked Paul if he remembers anything about that day. He said he has flashbacks, like seeing muzzle flash, feeling bullets hit him and falling. He doesn't remember firing his gun at Jackson, but he did fire once.

David pulled his gun but didn't get to fire. He died from multiple gunshot wounds to his neck, torso and right arm, testified forensic pathologist Dr. Yen Van Vo.

Surveillance footage shows shooting

During afternoon testimony, Rapides Parish Sheriff's Detective Curtis Gunter, who works in digital forensics, narrated as surveillance videos from inside the store played. The videos show Jackson and another man who prosecutors allege is Augustine walking around the store for about 13 minutes.

The two leave, but Jackson later returns. He places a magazine clip on the counter and, as David Paul looks at it, he transfers a gun from his left to right hand and starts shooting.

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Jackson ran out, but returns about 10 seconds later. The video shows him lean over the counter and continue shooting the men, who both were on the floor, said Gunter.

Augustine was driving Jackson's vehicle, Hall contended in his opening statement.

Another defendant testifies

Cliron Price was the last witness on Tuesday. Price testified that Augustine called him and asked him to pick him up from a home on Orchard Loop in Wardville. He said he took Augustine and Jackson to a house on Bertie Street in Alexandria, and later drove Jackson to Baton Rouge.

Price later was arrested in connection to the case. He accepted a plea deal in September 2021, pleading guilty to obstruction of criminal justice, being an accessory after the fact, aggravated flight from an officer and illegal carrying of a weapon with drugs.

He also agreed to testify against Jackson and Augustine, if necessary. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Price, when asked by Hall, said he only learned what the two were involved in when he saw a news media report later on the day of the shooting.

Testimony is set to continue Wednesday morning with lead Detective Andre Clark taking the stand.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: 911 call played during Laquarus Augustine's 2nd-degree murder trial