Florida man arrested for sparking Avoyelles Parish Courthouse evacuation

AVOYELLES PARISH, La. (WNTZ) – On September 12, 2024, at approximately 12:07 pm, the Avoyelles Parish 911 Communications Center received a 911 call(s) from Courthouse staff. An unknown male later identified as Jaymes Edward Baker of Mulberry, Florida had reportedly entered the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse in Marksville, Louisiana, with fake plastic guns, carrying packages and bags, and wearing items to cover his face. The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Marksville City Police, Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Police, and other local law enforcement agencies responded to the scene. The courthouse and the surrounding area were closed for public safety. Baker’s packages/bags and the entire Courthouse were also searched using a K9 trained to find explosives; no explosives were located. At approximately 1:44 pm, the area was reopened to the public.

APSO Detectives learned that Baker allegedly went there to make a statement about his dissatisfaction with civil proceedings in a child custody matter. Baker was later arrested by APSO Detectives for the offenses of Terrorizing and Simple Assault and booked into the APSO DC-1 Jail Facility. No bond has been set at this time.

This remains an active ongoing investigation.