LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / August 26, 1998

CONVENT – St. Charles Parish deputies apprehended a murder suspectSunday night in Hahnville following a shooting in Vacherie.

St. James Parish Sheriff Willy Martin Jr. reported that Ismond Armant, 29,2361 Franklin St., Vacherie, was shot twice by her live-in boyfriend at afriend’s residence.

Kenneth Edwards, 30, was captured following the issuance of an all-points bulletin and charged with second-degree murder.

Martin said Edwards was “very cooperative” under questioning and “basically confessed.”According to the sheriff, the couple had been arguing all weekend. OnSunday evening Armant left the residence to visit a friend in the 1900 block of River Road, Vacherie. Edwards followed, armed with a small-caliber handgun.

Upon reaching the friend’s residence, Edwards allegedly fired once at Armant, missing her. The friend opened the door and saw Edwards shootagain, this time hitting Armant in the back of her head. He then steppedforward and fired once more. He then turned and left.Martin commented: “He probably didn’t look back after he shot her.”The sheriff’s office was flooded with 9-1-1 calls, and officers found Armant lying on the floor of the residence. She was transported to St.James Parish Hospital, Lutcher, and soon transferred to Charity Hospital, New Orleans, where she died.

Edwards made his way to a residence in the 200 block of Post St., Killona,where deputies caught him at 10 p.m.Capt. Patrick Yoes of the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office said while the deputywas attempting to handcuff Edwards, the suspect resisted and punched the deputy in the face.

“He also got sprayed,” Yoes said of the suspect, adding Edwards had resisting an officer by violence and battery of a police officer charges added to that in St. James.”He was calm at first, then he went nuts on them,” Martin added.

The suspect weapon was recovered, Martin continued. “Everything fell intoplace, perfect for us.”

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