Louisiana Man Charged with Murder After Fatal Shooting of U.S. Marshal During Arrest Attempt A Louisiana man has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of a U.S. marshal who was attempting to arrest him at his home. Clarence A. Frazier Jr., 48, of Alexandria, faces one count of murder of a federal officer, a crime punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty. The incident occurred on July 15, 2026, after Frazier failed to appear for a trial on rape and sexual battery charges. According to an FBI agent’s affidavit, authorities filed a complaint against Frazier after he was taken into custody on Monday. A federal magistrate unsealed the complaint on Tuesday, revealing that Frazier was arrested following a confrontation with marshals and sheriff’s detectives. The FBI agent, James Rimmer, stated that Frazier shot at the officers during the arrest attempt, fatally wounding Deputy Marshal Drew Hanson. The marshals and detectives had entered Frazier’s home to serve an arrest warrant for contempt of court, finding him in a bedroom. Frazier then barricaded himself in the room, leading to a standoff before his arrest. Acting U.S. Attorney Todd Blanche emphasized that Frazier would be “held accountable to the fullest extent of the law” in the federal court case. A federal public defender representing Frazier did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment. The charges against Frazier stem from a 2024 case in Rapides Parish District Court, where he was accused of third-degree rape and sexual battery on a person with infirmities. The latter charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Court records indicate that Frazier was scheduled to stand trial on July 15, 2026, but failed to appear.#alexandria #todd_blanche #clarence_a_frazier_jr #james_rimmer #drew_hanson
Alexandria Resident to Compete on 'Top Chef' Anthony Jones, a native of Sunderland, Maryland, will compete on Season 23 of Bravo’s Top Chef, which premieres Monday, March 9 at 9 p.m. ET. The show, set in the Carolinas, will center on Charlotte, N.C., with episodes also filmed in Greenville, S.C. Jones, who now resides in Alexandria, is one of the standout chefs in the competition, bringing a unique blend of culinary influences to the table. Growing up surrounded by food, Jones credits his early experiences with shaping his approach to cooking. "I think those memories help me even now to create and express myself," he said. "I always loved the holidays, not because of the gifts, but due to the meals attached to them. Thanksgiving was definitely a favorite." His passion for food has evolved into a professional career, where he now focuses on incorporating elements from the Black Diaspora into his dishes. As executive chef at Marcus DC, a restaurant led by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson in Washington, D.C., Jones describes his role as a mentorship-driven position. "He knows me pretty well and at this point, we know how to work with each other and the strengths and weaknesses of the other." Jones’ signature dish, "Mel’s Crab Rice," reflects his love for summertime traditions. "I always had a love for rice growing up whether it was sweet or savory. In the summertime boiling and eating crabs on the picnic table outside was the best reward we could get for being good," he explained. This dish, which embodies his connection to childhood memories, is a standout in his culinary repertoire. Before joining Marcus DC, Jones served as chef de cuisine at Restaurant Eve in Alexandria during its final year of operation in 2018.#alexandria #anthony_jones #sunderland_maryland #marcus_dc #top_chef
‘No active threat’: Lockdown lifted at Fort Polk A lockdown was lifted at Fort Polk this afternoon. The base’s main gate was locked down, preventing anyone from entering or exiting. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft confirmed to KALB in Alexandria that there was no immediate danger on the base. He stated that reports of a shooting there were not credible, and the installation is resuming normal operations. All entrances are now open and functioning, with no threat to the public. Officials did not release further details about the investigation. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.#fort_polk #vernon_parish #sam_craft #kalb #alexandria
