84-year-old man charged after aiming shotgun at deputies in St. Rose

St. Charles Parish deputies responded to a residential disturbance in the Charlestowne subdivision in St. Rose shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Halloween, 2026. The call came in after neighbors reported a man walking around the area while aiming a shotgun at homes.

Officers located Herman Alexander, 84, near the intersection of W. Club Drive and River Birch Lane. Deputies stated they ordered him to drop the weapon multiple times. Alexander did not comply and at one point directed the shotgun toward the officers. The deputies then discharged their own weapons, causing Alexander to fall to the ground.

Despite the exchange of gunfire, deputies said they found no gunshot injuries to Alexander when they approached him for aid. He was taken into custody without further incident. The incident marks a rare use of force in the parish during a residential call.

Alexander has no prior criminal record. However, police noted that in May 2026, officers visited his home for a mental health evaluation. He was transported to a hospital for assessment at that time but was not detained.

Authorities have not yet filed formal charges against Alexander. Deputies indicated that the specific criminal counts are pending review of the incident. The case is under investigation by St. Charles Parish officials.

The event occurred in a neighborhood with single-family homes. Residents reported hearing multiple loud noises around the time of the arrest. The shotgun was recovered from the scene.