Louisiana Meteorologist Arrested in Connection with Alleged Attack on His Girlfriend While Her Children Slept Nearby By Rachel McRady

The chief meteorologist for a local New Orleans news station was arrested on Sunday, Oct. 5, after an alleged altercation with his girlfriend turned physical. 

Devon Lucie, the Chief Meteorologist for WDSU, was arrested on charges of domestic abuse, child endangerment and resisting arrest by refusing to show his ID, according to an arrest record obtained by PEOPLE from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. 

According to additional arrest records obtained by Nola.com, Lucie’s unnamed girlfriend told police officers that the couple got into an argument at a festival in Gretna, La. The pair left the festival separately, with Lucie’s girlfriend’s mother driving her before she returned to his home in Marrero, La. 

According to Lucie’s girlfriend, the pair argued and Lucie left the home only to return and allegedly punch her in the bedroom while her two children slept in the living room. 

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“She said that they wrestled, and she fought back in self-defense,” Nola.com reports Lucie’s girlfriend said, citing the documents. 

A deputy also alleged in the documents that Lucie’s girlfriend had “several small cuts and scratches on most of her upper body, as well as several whelps on her forehead and face.” While in Lucie’s mugshot, he has visible scratches on his face.

WDSU shared that Lucie has been placed on leave “pending the investigation” into the allegations.

PEOPLE has reached out to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and WDSU for updates on the situation, but did not immediately hear back.

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Lucie joined WDSU in August 2024, after Margaret Orr retired from the post after 45 years on air.

At the time, he opened up about his new role on Instagram, writing, “Some very exciting news today. But after 27 years in broadcast news, I was named WDSU Chief Meteorologist. I’m humbled, and looking forward to bringing you the most useful, and accurate forecasts for the rest of my career. Thank you all, for being such a dynamic member of this page too. Much appreciated!”