Latest news with #Cheramie
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested in connection with Raceland fatal shooting
RACELAND, La. (WGNO) — A Raceland man has been arrested following a fatal shooting that occurred in the area on Tuesday, March 11. According to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the shooting, which happened in the 200 block of Wilson Street, around 11:15 a.m., and immediately found a victim who looked to have been shot multiple times. JPSO investigates Grand Isle apparent murder-suicide The man, identified as 46-year-old Chad Ingram, was airlifted to University Medical Center in New Orleans, where he was later pronounced dead. When deputies arrived on scene, the suspect, identified as 19-year-old Kody Cheramie, was still present. Investigators say Cheramie had been arguing with Ingram when he allegedly pulled a firearm and shot at the victim several times. Law enforcement officials say deputies secured the firearm from Cheramie and arrested him. He has been booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on second-degree murder. Bail has not yet been arrested in connection with Raceland fatal shooting Zion Williamson has triple-double to lead Pelicans past Clippers 127-120 Missing woman survives 6 days trapped in wrecked car as drivers pass unaware NOPD releases crime statistics for 2025 Mardi Gras season Pedestrian hit, killed in Gentilly car crash Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Custody spat over New Orleans escape-artist dog settled with visitation agreement
Calling King Solomon. The wiry terrier named Scrim who had virtually all of New Orleans looking for him while he spent most of the previous year on the run – enduring a hurricane, a historic snowfall and other perils – landed in the middle of an adoption controversy among those who recently brought him to heel again and then wanted to keep him. But in a video showing them sharing a sofa with Scrim, those who helmed an effort to bring the dog off the streets to domesticity announced a Solomonic solution that would keep all of them involved in his life – though his owner would be a local animal rescue shelter proprietor who had lost him in November and ultimately reneged on an earlier agreement for a key search volunteer to adopt him. News of shelter proprietor Michelle Cheramie's change of heart had ignited a wave of social media hatred, including accusations of selfishness and her viewing the ungovernable pup as little more than 'a meal ticket' given the viral media attention his abscondence had generated. Nonetheless, in their video with Cheramie and Scrim, would-be adopters Tammy Murray and Freba Maulauizada pleaded for a stop to the acrimony that had erupted in what seemed like only the latest tale to prove the intense passions that pets can inspire in Americans – and how nothing good can truly last on the internet. 'Please, please … do not hate,' Murray said in the video, after having described herself as 'devastated and really speechless' at her foiled adoption of Scrim in an earlier social media post that prompted the digital pile-on suffered by Cheramie. 'It does not get us anywhere, and it feels awful.' Zeus' Rescues reportedly first took in Scrim after he was found astray in a south-east Louisiana trailer park on Halloween 2023. He bolted from Cheramie's home in November, doing so by chewing through a second-floor window screen and leaping 13ft on to a driveway. Scrim was staying with Cheramie – who owns Zeus' Rescues – while he recovered from having earlier gone on the lam for six months after fleeing his then-adoptive family's yard. He survived summer temperatures above 100F, Hurricane Francine in September and wounds that were suspected to have been inflicted by someone wielding an air pellet gun. He was also missing a chunk of ear as well as several teeth – and had a number of abrasions – when he was caught in October and placed in Cheramie's home to rest and await readoption. After he skedaddled from Cheramie's home in November, the trail went quickly cold after the batteries in Scrim's GPS collar died within hours. People with nets and tranquilizer darts formed search parties that scoured the city for Scrim on both of his runs, but they came up empty-handed. He eschewed baits of beef tripe and locally beloved Popeyes fried chicken while making fleeting appearances on doorbell camera videos across New Orleans, earning him international media coverage as well as a large online following within the city and beyond. Eventually, on 11 February, an apparently hungry Scrim reportedly crawled into a narrow trap designed for cats, was recaptured and returned to Cheramie. She said a veterinary exam and X-rays indicated that Scrim had tapeworms and intestinal parasites but was otherwise in good health. Murray at that point thought Scrim would be going to the home she shared with her partner, Maulauizada. The animal advocate and furniture designer, who had spent days and nights partaking in efforts to find Scrim, had submitted an application to adopt the dog through Zeus' Rescues and had gained approval. However, on 18 February, Cheramie announced on Facebook that she had decided to keep Scrim for herself after he had bonded with her dog, Scooby, and had even been received warmly by her cats. 'I had a change of heart,' Cheramie wrote. 'I wanted him to be my dog.' She acknowledged that Murray and Maulauizada 'took it hard', referred to 'a lot of hurt and pain', and expressed a desire for a time when 'we will all heal'. Murray herself confirmed that was the case in her own social media statement, writing: 'No words. Devastated and really speechless. 10+ months of my life dedicated to bringing him home to safety. Even made it official and filled out an application and got approved only to be here … not my dog.' Many sympathized with Murray. One user wrote Cheramie was acting 'selfish … and … isn't putting Scrim's needs before her emotions'. Another wrote: 'She sees him as a meal ticket.' And still another wrote to Zeus' Rescues: 'I think you have showed you can't properly take care of him. This should not be your dog.' The Louisiana news outlet reported that someone telephoned Cheramie and threateningly told her: 'You better never let me see you out on the street.' The rancorous tone of the dialogue unwittingly set off by Murray's and Cheramie's dueling statements then evidently prompted both to collaborate on defusing it. Convinced that Scrim was thriving in Cheramie's home, Murray and Maulauizada then essentially dropped their adoption claim to leave him in the care of the Zeus' Rescues proprietor, with assurances that they would still have roles in his life. They also made a conciliatory video with Cheramie and Scrim, on her lap, between them. An intermittently teary-eyed Murray said in the video: 'Our focus is on Scrim. I hope everyone can celebrate with us that this dog is just doing wonderful.' Apologizing for the statement that unleashed the backlash directed at Cheramie, she added: We really want this to end on a good note.' Cheramie, for her part, denied Scrim's measure of fame was a factor in her love for him. She said she was grateful Murray and Maualauizada engaged in 'honest and open conversations' with her about 'a painful situation' – and wanted 'what's best' for Scrim. 'I love the fact that we can have this type of relationship and that we're here now doing this,' Cheramie remarked.
The Guardian
23-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Custody spat over New Orleans escape-artist dog settled with visitation agreement
Calling King Solomon. The wiry terrier named Scrim who had virtually all of New Orleans looking for him while he spent most of the previous year on the run – enduring a hurricane, a historic snowfall and other perils – landed in the middle of an adoption controversy among those who recently brought him to heel again and then wanted to keep him. But in a video showing them sharing a sofa with Scrim, those who helmed an effort to bring the dog off the streets to domesticity announced a Solomonic solution that would keep all of them involved in his life – though his owner would be a local animal rescue shelter proprietor who had lost him in November and ultimately reneged on an earlier agreement for a key search volunteer to adopt him. News of shelter proprietor Michelle Cheramie's change of heart had ignited a wave of social media hatred, including accusations of selfishness and her viewing the ungovernable pup as little more than 'a meal ticket' given the viral media attention his abscondence had generated. Nonetheless, in their video with Cheramie and Scrim, would-be adopters Tammy Murray and Freba Maulauizada pleaded for a stop to the acrimony that had erupted in what seemed like only the latest tale to prove the intense passions that pets can inspire in Americans – and how nothing good can truly last on the internet. 'Please, please … do not hate,' Murray said in the video, after having described herself as 'devastated and really speechless' at her foiled adoption of Scrim in an earlier social media post that prompted the digital pile-on suffered by Cheramie. 'It does not get us anywhere, and it feels awful.' Zeus' Rescues reportedly first took in Scrim after he was found astray in a south-east Louisiana trailer park on Halloween 2023. He bolted from Cheramie's home in November, doing so by chewing through a second-floor window screen and leaping 13ft on to a driveway. Scrim was staying with Cheramie – who owns Zeus' Rescues – while he recovered from having earlier gone on the lam for six months after fleeing his then-adoptive family's yard. He survived summer temperatures above 100F, Hurricane Francine in September and wounds that were suspected to have been inflicted by someone wielding an air pellet gun. He was also missing a chunk of ear as well as several teeth – and had a number of abrasions – when he was caught in October and placed in Cheramie's home to rest and await readoption. After he skedaddled from Cheramie's home in November, the trail went quickly cold after the batteries in Scrim's GPS collar died within hours. People with nets and tranquilizer darts formed search parties that scoured the city for Scrim on both of his runs, but they came up empty-handed. He eschewed baits of beef tripe and locally beloved Popeyes fried chicken while making fleeting appearances on doorbell camera videos across New Orleans, earning him international media coverage as well as a large online following within the city and beyond. Eventually, on 11 February, an apparently hungry Scrim reportedly crawled into a narrow trap designed for cats, was recaptured and returned to Cheramie. She said a veterinary exam and X-rays indicated that Scrim had tapeworms and intestinal parasites but was otherwise in good health. Murray at that point thought Scrim would be going to the home she shared with her partner, Maulauizada. The animal advocate and furniture designer, who had spent days and nights partaking in efforts to find Scrim, had submitted an application to adopt the dog through Zeus' Rescues and had gained approval. However, on 18 February, Cheramie announced on Facebook that she had decided to keep Scrim for herself after he had bonded with her dog, Scooby, and had even been received warmly by her cats. 'I had a change of heart,' Cheramie wrote. 'I wanted him to be my dog.' She acknowledged that Murray and Maulauizada 'took it hard', referred to 'a lot of hurt and pain', and expressed a desire for a time when 'we will all heal'. Murray herself confirmed that was the case in her own social media statement, writing: 'No words. Devastated and really speechless. 10+ months of my life dedicated to bringing him home to safety. Even made it official and filled out an application and got approved only to be here … not my dog.' Many sympathized with Murray. One user wrote Cheramie was acting 'selfish … and … isn't putting Scrim's needs before her emotions'. Another wrote: 'She sees him as a meal ticket.' And still another wrote to Zeus' Rescues: 'I think you have showed you can't properly take care of him. This should not be your dog.' The Louisiana news outlet reported that someone telephoned Cheramie and threateningly told her: 'You better never let me see you out on the street.' The rancorous tone of the dialogue unwittingly set off by Murray's and Cheramie's dueling statements then evidently prompted both to collaborate on defusing it. Convinced that Scrim was thriving in Cheramie's home, Murray and Maulauizada then essentially dropped their adoption claim to leave him in the care of the Zeus' Rescues proprietor, with assurances that they would still have roles in his life. They also made a conciliatory video with Cheramie and Scrim, on her lap, between them. An intermittently teary-eyed Murray said in the video: 'Our focus is on Scrim. I hope everyone can celebrate with us that this dog is just doing wonderful.' Apologizing for the statement that unleashed the backlash directed at Cheramie, she added: We really want this to end on a good note.' Cheramie, for her part, denied Scrim's measure of fame was a factor in her love for him. She said she was grateful Murray and Maualauizada engaged in 'honest and open conversations' with her about 'a painful situation' – and wanted 'what's best' for Scrim. 'I love the fact that we can have this type of relationship and that we're here now doing this,' Cheramie remarked.
New York Times
17-02-2025
- General
- New York Times
How a Runaway Dog Became a Hero for New Orleans
He evaded death at a shelter that needed to make room for more dogs. He was shot at — a veterinarian plucked pieces of ammunition from his flesh. He dodged a train, scampered across an interstate highway and survived on cat food left out for strays. He is about 3 years old, weighs 17 pounds and has coarse, cloudy fur. And for several months, he had much of New Orleans looking for him. With each foiled capture or implausible escape, his fame grew and so did his reputation. He became an almost mythical figure, too savvy and swift to contain. His saga has inspired tattoos, murals and Mardi Gras floats. Some have held him up as a renegade, choosing freedom over the comforts of domestic life. Scrim, as someone along the way named him, is also a living, panting embodiment of the spirit of New Orleans: He, like the city, kept on going despite it all. But for the small band of volunteers who bonded over months of searching for him, Scrim is simply a little dog who has been through a lot of trauma in his short life. 'There were one of two things that could happen,' said David W. Brown, a journalist in New Orleans whose free time became consumed by the chase. The odds of a positive outcome, Mr. Brown said, grew more faint each day that Scrim stayed on the loose. In November 2023, an overcrowded shelter in a nearby parish sent Michelle Cheramie a list of dogs it planned to euthanize. On that list was Scrim, who looked like a West Highland white terrier mix. Nearly 20 years ago, in the brutal months after Hurricane Katrina, a passion for animals led Ms. Cheramie to start Zeus's Place, named after her own beloved dog. Her plan was to provide grooming, boarding and day care that would help support a rescue operation. By the time Ms. Cheramie took in Scrim, Zeus's Place was helping stem a crisis of a different sort: Dogs that had been adopted during the pandemic were flooding back into packed shelters. Scrim arrived frozen by fear, carrying the baggage of his old life. All she knew was that he had been battered and neglected. He stayed with volunteers for a while, recovering. Last April, someone wanted to adopt him and brought him home for the trial week that Zeus's requires. On the first night, he bolted. Hours turned to days of searching for Scrim; days became months. Fliers were posted and appeals were made on social media. Scrim was purportedly spotted all over, some calls more credible than others. A group of volunteers coalesced around Ms. Cheramie. Mr. Brown got looped in after reporting a sighting that turned out not to be Scrim. Bonnie Goodson started riding her bike around her neighborhood at night to look for him. Tammy Murray and Barbara Burger were easily recruited. 'You bring me out one time,' said Ms. Burger, a court reporter and an acquaintance of Ms. Cheramie, 'and I'm on a mission.' The team worked the grid of streets in the Mid-City neighborhood like patrol officers, Mr. Brown said. They crawled under countless houses. They hurried to check out reports of dead dogs, hoping they were not Scrim. He kept running, always just beyond their grasp. Ms. Cheramie set up a target in her backyard made from a tracing of a dog they rescued that looked just like Scrim. She practiced and practiced with a tranquilizer gun. On Oct. 23, a tipster reported spotting him around a lot where a limousine company parks its vehicles. Ms. Cheramie got there, positioned the dart gun and fired. 'Perfect shot,' she said. He ran for seven minutes before he started wobbling in circles. Ms. Cheramie and Ms. Goodson swooped in. 'You're safe,' Ms. Cheramie told him. He had broken teeth. A chunk of his ear was gone. He had been shot with a pellet gun. After leaving the animal hospital, he went to what was supposed to be his new home, settling in over a few weeks. When his new caretaker needed to go away, Ms. Cheramie temporarily took him in. On Nov. 15, while she was out, Scrim went upstairs to her daughter's bedroom, where her cats lounge on beds facing the sunlight. The window was open but screened. He chewed and clawed through the mesh. He jumped onto the roof of her front porch, and then he was gone. The leap only intensified the legend. This time, Scrim covered a lot more territory. He passed by the Superdome. He was spotted hanging around the giraffes at Audubon Zoo. He somehow made it all the way to Harahan, a far-flung suburb. A crowdsourced map online filled with sightings. A polarizing school of thought emerged: Maybe the dog didn't need to be caught. He wanted to be free, so let him be free. For some, Scrim had come to represent a romantic notion of shaking loose from the leash of life, choosing one's own path 'He isn't just a cute dog and a funny story,' said Coco Darrow, who designed a Mardi Gras display known as a house float that portrayed Scrim as a saint on a prayer candle. For the search team, Scrim's second escape meant more tips to check out and more crawling under houses. He snubbed the traps they set with beef and Popeyes fried chicken. They became convinced that he had figured out how to use New Orleans's one-way streets to his advantage: If he ran against traffic, it would be harder for pursuers in cars to reach him. Ms. Burger brought out her son's old motorized scooter one night and chased him for at least two miles. But it goes only 15 miles per hour, and Scrim got away. The long nights in random corners of the city reminded them that Scrim was not the only creature lost in New Orleans. The team rescued dozens of other dogs and cats. They checked in and offered help, too, to distressed people living on the streets. 'It opened my eyes,' Ms. Burger said. The longer the search went on, the more the prospect of finding him alive seemed like a miracle. He was loose during the eruption of fireworks on New Year's Eve, and attention turned away from Scrim after a deadly attack on Bourbon Street the next day enveloped the city in grief and fear. He also was on his own during the commotion that came with hosting the Super Bowl and a blizzard that shut down the city, dumping more snow than New Orleans had seen in decades. On Tuesday, Ms. Cheramie got a text message with a photo. Scrim was squeezed into a trap that had been set for feral cats. Two days later, there he was, chilling in a little bed at Ms. Cheramie's house. He was perfectly calm, even as people cycled through to bear witness. He was like a newborn baby everyone wanted to see and hold. He accepted the scratches, toys and some of the treats visitors brought. Ms. Cheramie's dog, 90 pounds of curiosity and cuddles named Scooby-Doo, sulked like an attention-starved big brother. The traps had been dismantled. Ms. Cheramie was looking forward to disconnecting the second cellphone she had carried for responding to tips. When the search team assembled at her house on Thursday night, it was to eat pizza and share stories. Ms. Cheramie still obsessively checked her doors, windows and gates. Ms. Burger said she would like to believe Scrim was ready for a different life. Maybe he was. But he might also be plotting, waiting for that perfect opportunity to run.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fugitive dog recaptured in New Orleans after gaining national fame for escapades
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A scruffy New Orleans rescue dog famed for evading a monthslong effort to recapture him using nets and tranquilizer rifles has finally been caught and returned to domestic life Tuesday. Scrim, a 17-pound mutt who has become a Louisiana folk hero, first escaped from his adopted family in April and roamed the city for months until he was cornered and brought back home. Weeks later, in October, he leaped out of a second-story window in a moment recorded on video that got attention online. During his months on the lam, Scrim survived a hurricane and freezing blizzard conditions. A posse of volunteers tracked his movements over 57 square miles (148 square kilometers) using wildlife surveillance cameras and a crowdsourced map of sightings. The renowned fugitive was ultimately captured in a cat trap, said Michelle Cheramie, the owner of animal rescue nonprofit Zeus' Rescues who led the mission to find Scrim. Cheramie, a former information technology professional who has devoted her life to caring for animals after losing her home during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, has said she was 'born to rescue.' The elated Cheramie held Scrim in arms on Tuesday after giving him a much-needed bath. The pooch appeared calm, and a vet found him in good shape. During his first time on the run last year, Scrim suffered lacerations and was founded embedded with what appeared to be small bullets. 'He endured so much. I needed him safe. He is not a feral dog,' Cheramie said. 'I'm going to put him in a place where he has access to go on long walks, where he has access to vet care and he doesn't have to run and hide from loud scary noises.' Volunteers who spent nights searching the city for Scrim trickled in to Cheramie's house for the chance to hold and pet the dog. They swapped stories about the long-fruitless hunt as Scrim relaxed beneath blankets on a couch. Cheramie is taking no more chances. She's carefully locked the doors and windows in her house as she waits to bring Scrim to his long-term residence with a family she declined to name. Scrim has been outfitted with a new GPS collar and an AirTag tracking device in case he escapes again. Before Scrim joins his new family, Cheramie plans to enjoy his presence. 'He's going to sleep in bed with me tonight and it's going to be the most amazing thing," Cheramie said. 'It's so good to have him in my arms. It's everything I ever wanted.' Jack Brook, The Associated Press
