Ville Platte man arrested in Mangham police officer's shooting

A Ville Platte man has been arrested for the attempted murder of a Mangham police officer.

Rayville Police Chief said Willie Robinson said the incident began Oct. 17 when the Rayville Police Department received a phone call from Yancey’s Pharmacy advising that an armed robbery had taken place. 

RPD Officer Darius Williams was dispatched to the location. 

Upon arrival, Williams, he made contact with the victim, who advised that while he was locking up, a black male with a gun approached him. 

The victim advised the suspect, later identified as Hermandus Dashanski Semien, 27, of Ville Platte, told him to unlock the pharmacy door. The victim stated that Semien had him to pour narcotics into a black bag. Semien then bound the victim around his hands and feet with duct tape and fled in area in a stolen vehicle.

Rayville Police then issued a be on the lookout alert for Siemens.

Mangham Police Officer Marshall Waters executed a traffic stop of Semien  at approximately 1 p.m. Oct. 17 on LA 425 near the Franklin/Richland parish line. Semien allegedly shot Waters and fled the scene of the stop southbound on US 425 into Franklin Parish. 

Officer Waters, who also worked for Northeast Louisiana Ambulance Service, was transported to Franklin Medical Center and later transported to Rapides Hospital via helicopter.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. Saturday, a call came in to the Franklin Parish Sheriff’s Office reporting a crashed vehicle on LA Highway 562 near Fort Necessity that matched the description of Semien’s vehicle. 

At approximately 3 p.m, Semien placed into custody by the Franklin Parish Sheriff Office and charged with attempted first degree murder of police officer, armed robbery and theft of a motor vehicle.

Mangham Police Chief Perry Fleming would like to thank all who have called, texted and prayed for Officer Marshall Waters.

“We would like to say thank you to all responding officers who helped the Town of Mangham this evening,” Fleming said. 

Officers Marshall Waters was in critical condition but was reported to be stable by Sunday morning.

“On Sunday evening, Marshall is stable,” Northeast Louisiana Ambulance service spokesman Shane Scott said. “He is responding to verbal commands and his prognosis is good. He has a great team caring for him at Rapides Regional Medical Center. We are thankful for your prayers. He is, too.”

Richland Today

603 Louisa Street
Rayville, LA 71269
Phone: (318) 728-6467
Fax: (318) 728-5991