Houma Woman Arrested Following Pepper Spray Incident At A Local Business

October 7, 2026

Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet announced the arrest of Shavontai Heaven Bickhan, 23, of Houma, following an investigation by the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division into a disturbance at a local business. Bickhan was arrested on charges of Terrorizing and two counts of Simple Battery.

On October 6, 2026, Patrol Deputies responded to a business on Hollywood Road after receiving a report of a disturbance involving a customer and store employees.  Upon arrival, Deputies encountered at least three women experiencing irritation to their facial areas and detected an odor consistent with a chemical agent having been discharged inside the business.

Through interviews with employees and witnesses, Deputies learned that a woman suspected of attempting to steal merchandise became involved in an argument with two store employees and allegedly sprayed them with pepper spray.  Other women inside the business reported experiencing effects from the spray, although they were not directly sprayed.

Medical first responders were called to provide treatment. One employee was transported to a local hospital for injuries sustained during the incident.

Witnesses provided a description of the suspect, which Deputies corroborated through a review of the store’s surveillance footage.  Additional interviews provided information about the vehicle the suspect used to leave the scene.

A responding Deputy located the vehicle in the 1800 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard and conducted a traffic stop.  Deputies determined that the driver matched the description provided by employees and witnesses, and was identified as Shavontai Heaven Bickhan.  Bickhan was immediately taken into custody in connection with the incident.

As the investigation continued, Deputies learned that Bickhan allegedly left the business after her initial encounter with employees, returned a short time later, and continued the confrontation. Deputies determined that she returned to her vehicle before allegedly spraying the two employees directly.

Deputies obtained a search warrant in connection with the investigation and located evidence of a chemical agent spray.  The allegations involving the attempted theft of merchandise remain under investigation.

Bickhan was booked into the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex on charges of Terrorizing and two counts of Simple Battery.  As of this release, she remains in custody with a $27,000 bond by local judges.

“Employees and customers deserve to feel safe in our local businesses,” Sheriff Tim Soignet said. “I commend our Deputies for their quick response and thorough investigation, and I thank the medical first responders who assisted those affected.  We will continue investigating this incident and the related theft allegations.”

ALL ARRESTED PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY

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