HAUGHTON, La. -
Shreveport police have arrested a teen in connection with an attack that left a teenager facing reconstructive dental work.
Jalen Jack, 18, is charged with second degree battery in connection with an incident that left Jessica Byrnes-Laird with at least ten broken teeth and too many stitches to count after a routine trip to the gas station turned violent.
Police arrested Jack Monday afternoon.
Byrnes-Laird says she was attacked with a brass pipe while parked at the A & Y Quick Stop in Shreveport's MLK neighborhood Sunday night.
Still wearing her bikini after a day spent swimming, Byrnes-Laird said a group of men approached her car while her boyfriend was inside buying cigarettes. When he heard about their reported lewd comments, Byrnes-Laird's boyfriend fought the men before getting behind the wheel to leave. That's when they say someone -- just off-camera -- took a brass pipe, and threw it through the open passenger window, smashing Jessica in the face.
Still dealing with the physical pain, the emotional damage can be just as bad.
"There's a little bit of fear, honestly, because going through this make you realize how delicate life is, and you never know what can happen," Byrnes-Laird said. "Things happen so suddenly, without warning."
With her hands covering a bleeding broken mouth, she says the support from her boyfriend, his family, and even strangers is encouraging.
"All the support that's been shown towards me, I'm so extremely thankful," Byrnes-Laird said.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to benefit Byrnes-Laird's dental bills.
If you know any of the people involved in the Sunday attack, contact Caddo CrimeStoppers at (318) 673-7373.
Related link: Jessica's facial reconstruction fund
