By LEONARD GRAY

LAPLACE – What was apparently intended as a harmless prank nearly turned deadly on Dec. 27 for an East St. John High School star athlete.

Ryan Perrilloux, 14, of 604 Bluebird St., LaPlace, was reported in stable condition Saturday at River Parishes Hospital after being shot twice by his sister’s boyfriend.

Hospital spokesman Sean Roussel said the high school freshman was shot in the stomach and one bullet grazed the liver. He underwent surgery Friday to repair the extensive damage.

“He’s very lucky,” Roussel added.

According to Capt. Michael Tregre of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, Ryan’s sister, Kidada Scott, 22, had been out with Sheldon LaFrance III, 24, of 2325 Abundance St., New Orleans.

The couple returned to LaPlace at about 2:15 a.m.

However, upon arriving, the couple spotted what appeared to be a suspicious person lurking outside the residence. She first used her cellular telephone and talked to another brother inside the residence, who told her someone had been trying to break in. She then dashed for the door and hammered on it for admittance. Meanwhile, Tregre added, Perrilloux approached LaFrance at the car, wearing a ski mask.

LaFrance fired twice from his 9 mm pistol, the bullets striking Perrilloux in the abdomen.

The St. John Sheriff’s Office was notified of the shooting at 2:37 a.m. and Perrilloux was transported to the hospital and placed in the intensive care unit, where he remains.

Reportedly, Perrilloux had simply planned to scare the couple, but had not counted on LaFrance being armed.

Sheriff’s detectives charged LaFrance with attempted second-degree murder; however, the investigation into the incident is ongoing, Tregre said. His bond was set at $165,000 by 40th Judicial District Judge J. Sterling Snowdy.

Perrilloux is a standout football quarterback and basketball player for East St. John High School.