By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – A 23-year-old Reserve resident who fell victim to a St. Patrick’s Day shooting in LaPlace, leaving him in critical condition, died Monday morning.

This left the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office investigating their first homicide of the year.

Maj. Mike Tregre, spokesman for the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office said Morial Johnson, 23, died at 7:45 a.m. at River Parishes Hospital.

An autopsy will determine whether the gunshot wounds he received, were the cause of death, Tregre said.

&#8220We do have a vehicle description from the shooting,” Tregre said.

&#8220We are still investigating the case, and we have received a lot of calls in regards to the shooting,” Tregre added.

The shooting occurred in the 1800 block of West Airline Highway around 11:33 p.m.

According to previous reports, Tregre said a witness called the Sheriff’s Office referencing a shooting.

Within five minutes of the call, Johnson walked into the River Parishes Hospital emergency room with a gunshot wound under his right lower rib area.

Tregre said a witness from the scene said a man driving a green Pontiac Grand Prix or Grand Am left in a fast manner.

According to a witness, one male walked up to the other, and the suspect fired one shot at the victim, Tregre said.

Detective Lt. Royal Burke is continuing the investigation of the case.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office at (985) 652-6338.