By Ramon Antonio Vargas
The Advocate
NEW ORLEANS — A 23-year-old man from Texas who is still in the hospital after getting shot in the French Quarter over the weekend during a tussle with a law enforcement officer will be jailed on allegations of resisting arrest, authorities said Monday.
Daniel Mathena, of Sugarland, Texas, remained in stable condition Monday, said Trooper Melissa Matey, spokeswoman for the Louisiana State Police, which is in charge of the investigation.
According to Mathena’s family, he was in New Orleans visiting friends and celebrating a graduation when he was separated from his group. He was trying to get back to his hotel when he and a Louisiana Supreme Court police officer got into a fight at the corner of St. Louis and Chartres streets on Saturday night, near the courthouse and outside the Omni Royal Orleans hotel.
Authorities haven’t said what led to the fight, but Mathena was taken to the hospital after being shot at least once during the scuffle.
The Supreme Court police officer hasn’t been identified.
Matey said Methena will face counts of forcefully resisting arrest as well as battery on a police officer.
A witness captured video of the scuffle between Methena and the state Supreme Court cop and provided the footage to WWL-TV.
Troopers are leading the investigation into Methena’s shooting because the cops who provide security at the Supreme Court building are state of Louisiana employees, Matey said.
Supreme Court police are also certified by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.
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