OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) -- An alleged attack on a disabled woman with a frying pan was stopped by a witness using pepper spray, authorities said.

Blake Courville, 34, of Opelousas, is charged with cruelty to the infirm and illegal carrying of weapons while committing a crime of violence.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Deputies responded Sunday to a complaint of a disturbance in the area of Emonet Drive, just east of Opelousas, involving a woman with late-stage Huntington’s Disease, according to Sheriff Bobby Guidroz.

"Courville was alleged to have used a frying pan and a bench against the victim," Guidroz said.  "Another adult in the home used pepper spray to stop the alleged attack, which caused Courville to retreat to a shed in the backyard.” 

Deputies said they were told Courville may have been armed with a knife. After a negotiator was called to the scene, it was learned that Courville left the shed and was walking along a road, where he was taken into custody without incident, officials said.

“The victim received non-life-threatening injuries, was treated at a local hospital and allowed to return home," Guidroz said. "While this is a most unfortunate event, we are glad that a caring person intervened and the alleged suspect was arrested."

Courville was booked into the St. Landry Parish jail. Bond details were not released.

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