LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / December 11, 1999

GRAMERCY – A St. Amant man became St. James Parish’s first murdervictim of 1999 during a confrontation Wednesday at a River Road convenience store.

A customer found Johnny Palermo, 44, of 14226 Tom Road, at 1:24 p.m.lying on the floor behind the counter of the store he owned and operated.

The store, T&P Stop, is located at 303 E. Jefferson Highway (River Road)at the corner of South Fir Street.

St. James Parish Sheriff Willy Martin Jr. reported that a woman walkedinto the store moments before that time and discovered Palermo on the floor behind the counter, the apparent victim of gunfire. It was evident theshooting had taken place only minutes before the woman discovered Palermo.

She ran to a Gramercy fire station located 50 yards away and brought back a Gramercy police officer, a St. James deputy and several volunteerfirefighters. The officers checked for vital signs and alerted the sheriff’soffice.

“We don’t know the motive,” Martin commented. “We don’t have that naileddown.”Martin noted that Palermo’s own handgun was found near to him, with one shot fired, and he guessed the gunman confronted him. When Palermobrought up his own gun the gunman fired and Palermo went down, his finger firing his own gun reflexively.

Then, Martin continued, the gunman likely panicked and fled without getting anything. He added there was cash in the closed cash register andPalermo also had cash on him.

The store attracted plenty of walk-in traffic, Martin said. “A lot of peopleknew him personally. They’re upset,” the sheriff added.Martin said there was a security camera in the store.

“His wife told me he always said they ain’t gonna take his money,” Martin noted. “He was that kind of guy.”The homicide comes at a time when the community is gearing up for the annual Festival of the Bonfires, which welcomes the Christmas season to St. James Parish.Festival coordinator Wendy Peytavin commented, “It’s so scary! Everyone was in complete shock.”She said security for the festival, especially at the admissions table, has been beefed up for the safety of all.

“It is definitely on our minds,” she observed.

“The community’s really upset,” Martin added, “but the streets are going to talk to us. We’re getting little tips here and there. That’s all we cancount on.”

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