A Louisiana meteorologist who recently took over a network weather post from a beloved decades-long mainstay allegedly broke into his girlfriend’s home and beat her while her children slept nearby on Sunday.
Devon Lucie, who was just promoted to chief meteorologist at WDSU in August, was arrested and charged with domestic abuse, child endangerment and resisting an officer by refusing to identify himself, according to arrest records obtained by Nola.com.
Lucie, 48, attended a festival in Gretna, just five miles outside of New Orleans, with his longtime girlfriend over the weekend, but a dispute pushed them to leave separately, according to documents from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
His girlfriend was driven home by her mother, but hours later, Lucie turned up on her doorstep and busted through the door, according to the sheriff’s office.
The pair argued and Lucie stormed off before returning shortly after and beating her while her two children slept in the living room, according to the records.
Lucie walked away from the altercation with two jagged scratch marks along both sides of his nose, as captured in his mugshot.
room. Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office
The woman, who told deputies she “fought back in self-defense,” was battered and sustained “several small cuts and scratches on most of her upper body, as well as several welts on her forehead and face,” according to the records.
Lucie also withheld his personal information when prompted by police for his name and birthday and even “refused to clean his dried bloody injuries,” according to the records.
WDSU swiftly placed the meteorologist on leave pending an investigation.
Lucie himself is a father of two and took over the helm as chief meteorologist in August when his predecessor departed after 45 years with the station, according to WDSU.
He’s worked at eight different stations across the country since graduating from Western Illinois University in 1997.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
