LaGRANGE — Investigators with the LaGrange Police Department continue their search for Justin Marquez Dallas, 18, of LaGrange.

The man is accused of shooting a 17-year-old during a dispute on the basketball courts at the William H. Griggs Recreation Center at 716 Glenn Robertson Road on Saturday afternoon, stated police.

The victim was shot at least once in the leg and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, investigators said.

In the wake of the incident, managers and staff of the Griggs Center are stepping up their security measures. The center is run by Troup County Parks and Recreation.

“The city is going to relight the road with LED lights,” said County Manager Tod Tentler. “We will also use a LED light in our security lights behind the building. We also plan to add more LED lights around the center. On game nights, when there are late games, we will also turn on the ball field lights.”

Though the shooting was an isolated incident at the recreation center, Tentler said the extra precautions are to ensure that type of violence does not happen there again.

“We talked to LaGrange Police Capt. Mike Pheil and we will send the police department a game schedule. They (LPD) said they would beef up patrols in the area and also have officers walk around the Griggs Center.

“These additional efforts will help keep the community safe as well as those that are using the recreation center,” Tentler added.

Investigators believe the shooting was part of a dispute that started at a local high school and escalated when the suspect and victim saw each other on the basketball court.

LPD obtained arrest warrants for Dallas. He is being charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, said investigators.

Anyone with information on the shooting or the whereabouts of Justin Dallas are asked to contact the LaGrange Police Department at 706-883-2603 or Troup County Crime Stoppers at 706-812-1000. Callers may remain anonymous.