LAPLACE — A LaPlace man is dead after three perpetrators pushed their way into his house demanding cash, authorities said.

The assault and fatal shooting took place at 4:30 a.m. Monday at 410 Orange Loop in LaPlace.

“The Sheriff’s Office received a call from a family member,” Tregre said. “They advised us that someone at the residence had been shot. The Sheriff’s Office responded with emergency personnel, and the young man was pronounced deceased at Ochsner hospital in LaPlace.”

Tregre said the 39-year-old victim, Burnell Perrilloux, was at his home when someone knocked on his door. The victim opened the door and a conversation with the perpetrators turned aggressive and violent.

According to authorities, the visitors forced their way past the victim and went inside the residence, making demands for cash.

The victim then, along with the suspects, made it to a back bedroom. Not long after that, another person inside the home heard a gunshot, authorities said, adding the assailants then ran out of the home and fled the area.

An autopsy is being performed on Perilloux’s body.

As of press time Tuesday morning, the number of gunshot wounds Perrilloux sustained or where in the body he was shot was not being released by detectives for fear of jeopardizing the case.

Deputies believe the motive was robbery, adding the perpetrators are still at large.

Tregre confirmed Perrilloux owed the suspects money and was still shot after paying what was owed.

“I knew the (victim),” Tregre said. “I know his family, good people. I knew him personally, and I knew him professionally. Hopefully, the community can work with us. I know this community of St. John the Baptist Parish does not want killers loose on the streets of our community. We are going to be out there as long as it takes, walking the streets and talking to whomever we can. ”

Detectives have recovered surveillance footage of the assailants walking to Perrilloux’s house, then running away on foot after the shots were fired.

Deputies have not released descriptions on any of the suspects.

“We have video and we are trying to enhance it now,” Tregre said. “All we know is that it appears to be three people. As far as we can see, they left on foot.”

Once the video has been enhanced, detectives will use it for investigative purposes. If they are not successful, Tregre said details of the video would be shared with the public.

Tregre said the shooting was not random.

“They knew each other, there is no doubt about that,” Tregre said. “This was a sad, unnecessary loss of a life.”

Monday’s killing marks the fourth homicide in the St. John the Baptist Parish this year.

Anyone with information regarding the killing is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. Residents who call Crimestoppers do not have to testify and may qualify for a cash reward.

Residents can also submit tips at stjohnsheriff.org/submitatip.php.

— By Raquel Derganz Baker