Over the last month, we’ve written stories comparing crime numbers to past years in LaGrange and Troup County. Gang activity was down in 2017 when compared to the last three years, and there was one homicide in LaGrange in 2017. It was well below recent averages.

All of those numbers are great for our city and its growth. However, as law enforcement officers said then, crime still exists in LaGrange. Gang activity is still in LaGrange, even if it was subdued a bit in 2017.

It only took one hour Monday night to remind us of that unfortunate fact, as two shootings took place — one on Juniper Street and one on Lady Elaine Street.

The victim in the Juniper Street shooting has reportedly had multiple surgeries and was in stable condition Monday morning, according to the LPD. The victim in the Lady Elaine Street shooting, 31-year-old Antonio M. Harris, was killed.

The LPD is currently investigating both cases and looking for leads, but at the time of this writing, nobody had been arrested in either shooting.

The truth is that somebody probably knows something or heard something in each case which could likely lead to the arrest of the persons at fault. When it comes to investigations like these, the LPD is relies on the community around it, and in these two cases — and many others — the LPD could use help from anyone who can step forward with information.

Anyone with information is asked to call the LaGrange Police Department at (706) 883-2603 or Troup County Crimestoppers at (706) 812-1000.