WINNSBORO, LA. (KNOE 8 NEWS) - Update, Noon Monday, Law enforcement officials held a news conference Monday morning. They tell KNOE 8 News that a 911 call came in around 8:00 p.m. Sunday night from a woman who claims she was attacked and burned. She said three men wearing white hoodies were the attackers.
Police confirm that racial slurs and the letters "KKK" were found written on the victim's vehicle. Winnsboro Police say they plan to tighten security in the park where the alleged attack happened. Franklin Sheriff Kevin Cobb said, "This is a horrific event that will not be taken lightly." Winnsboro Police, Franklin Parish Sheriff, Louisiana State Police, The state fire Marshall's office and the FBI are investigating.
Local NAACP leaders say they have seen enough evidence to consider this a hate crime, but authorities are not classifying it as a hate crime at this time.
Previous Report:
KNOE 8 News has received confirmation from the Winnsboro Police that they are working with the Franklin Parish Sheriff's Office investigating a woman allegedly attacked and burned on Sunday night.
The woman's name is Sharmeka Moffitt. A friend of the Moffitt family confirmed to us that she is in stable condition at the LSU-Shreveport hospital but 90% of her body has been burned.
Friends of the family also tell us they believe this is a hate crime.
We have a crew on the way to Winnsboro now. We will bring you more updates once we have them.
If you would like to visit the Facebook page family and friends have set up for Sharmeka Moffitt, click here.
A Virginia man who was once one of the nation's most prominent swimming coaches has been sentenced to seven years in prison for sexually abusing one of the girls he instructed.
A once-prominent swimming coach who trained thousands of children was sentenced to seven years in prison Thursday for sexually abusing one of the girls he instructed.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:57 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:57:22 GMT
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - After last week's severe weather in Northwest Louisiana, Gov. Bobby Jindal has declared a state of emergency for the area. The National Weather Service says a May 16 thunderstorm
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - After last week's severe weather in Northwest Louisiana, Gov. Bobby Jindal has declared a state of emergency for the area.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:20 AM EDT2013-05-23 12:20:47 GMT
DENHAM SPRINGS, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Authorities say a 40-year-old corrections officer assigned to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola has been arrested in a Livingston Parish home invasion case.
DENHAM SPRINGS, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Authorities say a 40-year-old corrections officer assigned to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola has been arrested in a Livingston Parish home invasion case.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:40:55 GMT
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A new 2-cents monthly tax on cell phones to help provide services for people with hearing impairment has been approved by the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A new 2-cents monthly tax on cell phones to help provide services for people with hearing impairment has been approved by the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:00 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:00:21 GMT
WEST MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) – For more than a decade Ray of Hope Ministries has been helping people in need. They are just one organization who has volunteers spending the weekend in Oklahoma.
WEST MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) – For more than a decade Ray of Hope Ministries has been helping people in need. They are just one organization who has volunteers spending the weekend in Oklahoma.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:43:01 GMT
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - After a debate that lasted more than an hour at the Ouachita Parish School Board meeting, the board has voted to name Richwood High's stadium after a former coach.
MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - After a debate that lasted more than an hour at the Ouachita Parish School Board meeting, the board has voted to name Richwood High's stadium after a former coach.
SharmekaMoffitt
