MELVILLE, La. (KLFY) — A Melville priest has been hospitalized following a machete attack, authorities said.
St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office confirms that Johnny Dwayne Neely, 58 of Palmetto is charged with attempted second degree murder, hate crimes, home invasion and a bench warrant.
“We get to the corner, the cop had him handcuffed. And I see the chief, Mr. Phillip, assisting the Father. He was just dripping blood, and when I looked he had two or three gashes in his head. He was cut bad,” said Melville resident, Joshua Johnson.
According to police, witnesses reported seeing the suspect approach the Rev. Stephen Ugwu, pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Melville, and ask for food. When the priest denied him, the suspect began attacking the priest with a machete.
“They were both covered in blood, so we didn’t know what was going on. [My wife] came and got me, I came over here and noticed the guy had a very large machete and he was cutting at the priest,” said Gage, who lives next door to the church.
Authorities reported the suspect stating he “wanted to kill a black man today.” Melville Police Chief Phillip Lucas says the department is reaching out to the FBI for assistance in the case.
“With the statements that he was making, I felt it was. Because he stated what he came here to do, we charged him with a hate crime,” said Chief Lucas.
Because the chief was still responsive when help arrived, he was able to warn others that he had been cooking before he was attacked, preventing further disaster. Witnesses were able to contact the fire department to help clear the smoke from the house caused by the burning food.
The priest was transferred to a local hospital where he’s being treated for lacerations to his head and body, and remains in stable condition, according to a news release from Blue Rolfes, director of communications of the Diocese of Lafayette.
“The Diocese of Lafayette confirms that Father Stephen Ugwu, pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Melville, was violently attacked yesterday afternoon on the church campus,” Rolfes said. “Father Ugwu was transported to an area hospital and is in stable condition. The Melville Police Department is handling the investigation. We wish to thank all who have been praying for Father Ugwu and request that you continue to do so.”