Shreveport man arrested for commission of hate crime; attempted 2nd degree murder
By: Nancy Cook
Updated: January 27, 2011
Shreveport Police Violent Crimes Investigators have arrested a Shreveport man for Attempted 2nd Degree Murder and the commission of a hate crime.
William Payne, 31, was arrested Wednesday after he used the blunt end of a pool cue to cause serious facial injury to 52-year-old John Skaggs’ eye socket and jawbone area, rendering Skaggs unconscious. Just prior to the assault, witnesses reported Payne make physically threatening statements based on the sexual orientation of the victim.
On Wednesday at approximately 4:33 a.m., Shreveport Police and Fire Department were summoned to 415 Spring St. (The Sandbar) in reference to a battery call.
Upon arrival, they found Payne, being detained by security personnel who told police Payne was the suspect responsible for the assault and he was attempting to leave the bar prior to officers arrival.
Skaggs was taken to LSU Health Sciences Center for treatment, and is listed in serious condition.
It was the totality of information gathered during the investigation, that prompted police to charg Payne with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder and Hate Crimes.
