Shortly before 3 a.m. on Feb. 13, deputies with the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office responded to a residence in the Bishop Woods Subdivision on Black Locust Street in Gonzales. According to the sheriff's office, 20-year-old Major Payton entered a trailer and encountered the 60-year-old man who lived there.

Authorities said both men fired shots. Payton was shot in the chest and died at the scene. The homeowner was injured and is still listed in critical condition.

At the time of the home invasion, the sheriff's office said they were looking for a second person who fled the scene.

Authorities announced Friday they arrested 20-year-old Jalen Griffin for his involvement in the incident.

Griffin was charged with aggravated burglary with a weapon, illegal use of weapons, attempted first-degree murder, and second-degree murder. He was booked into the Ascension Parish Jail Thursday.

No bond has been set at this time.

Hamadeh was fired but in January, the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board overturned his termination. The board said proper protocols were not followed during a lie detector test.

The police department said it would appeal the decision.

BRPD confirmed Friday Hamadeh resigned from the force after reaching a settlement.

“The Department is not willing to take that risk. We believe it’s in the best interest of this community that Mr. Hamadeh is no longer policing the citizens and visitors of the City of Baton Rouge”, said Chief Murphy Paul.

The chief is also requesting that Hamadeh loses his state law enforcement certification.

Though, Hamadeh will not return to the force. His attorney confirmed Friday, Hamadeh has resigned. But, since the civil service board ruled in Hamadeh’s favor, he is entitled to back pay between the time he was suspended or fired until he submitted his resignation.

An exact dollar amount was not immediately available.

Hamadeh made about $48,000 in 2018, including over-time. 

“I don't know what is next for him career wise. He is currently working in the private sector,” the attorney said in a statement to WBRZ.

Baton Rouge Police said in a statement it submitted a request to revoke Hamadeh’s certification and entry into the Louisiana Uniform Law Enforcement Statewide Reporting database. 

“The Department is not willing to take that risk. We believe it’s in the best interest of this community that Mr. Hamadeh is no longer policing the citizens and visitors of the City of Baton Rouge," Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul said in a statement. 

**********************

Follow the publisher of this post on Twitter: @treyschmaltz