Road Rage Incident Results in One Man Being Shot

An afternoon road rage incident between two men results in one man being shot.

Shortly before 2:00 p.m. this afternoon (Wednesday, June 26, 2019), Slidell Police responded to a shooting on Tyler Drive near Gause Boulevard. The incident started when two men engaged each over a road rage incident.

At some point, 45-year-old, Matthew Ledet (Slidell, Louisiana), intentionally stopped his Honda Pilot SUV on Tyler Drive in front 71-year-old, Benjamin Talton’s, Honda Ridgeline truck. Ledet exited his SUV and forcefully struck the hood of Talton’s truck, leaving a dent. Ledet retreated back to his vehicle, at which time Talton exited his truck with a gun and confronted Ledet.

At some point during the encounter, Talton (pictured below) fired one shot from his pistol, which struck Ledet in the arm. The two men retreated to a nearby Chevron gas station where they both stayed on the scene while waiting for police to arrive.

Ledet was transported to University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Benjamin Talton (Slidell, LA) was arrested and booked into the Slidell City Jail with Aggravated Battery and Aggravated Assault with a Firearm.

Ledet, who is still hospitalized, will be facing Disturbing the Peace, Criminal Damage, and Obstruction of a Public Passage charges, upon his release.

Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal says, “This is a very unfortunate incident, and it could have been completely avoided. I urge all drivers to ignore the temptation of engaging in a road rage incident. Drive away and call 911 if someone becomes aggressive. All too often, these types of incidents can turn deadly. It’s not worth it.”