In the early morning of August 12, 2019, 57-year-old Aurelius Burfict was shot while walking on the 100 block of East 21st Street in Reserve, Louisiana. Around 1:00 a.m. a vehicle approached from behind and someone inside opened fire, striking Burfict multiple times. Severely wounded, Burfict, who was autistic, managed to reach a nearby home where help was summoned; he was taken to a New Orleans hospital.

On August 14, 2019, authorities announced the arrest of 36-year-old Maurice Emanuel Hodges of Reserve. Hodges was apprehended in Lake Charles by the U.S. Marshal Task Force and the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and was booked on attempted second-degree murder. At the time of the arrest, Burfict was reported in stable condition. The shooting was later referred to as a homicide and the motive remains unknown. Community tips were credited with helping identify and locate the suspect.

If anyone has information about Aurelius Burfict, the events that night, or the people involved, please come forward.