By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE — Authorities in St. John are investigating the parish’s eighth homicide of the year after a LaPlace man was gunned down during a card game at a LaPlace home early Sunday, said a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.

Maj. Mike Tregre, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office, said Marcus Q. Fleming, 22, 1051 Whitlow Ct.,

LaPlace, was taken into custody after telling investigators he was responsible for shooting 28-year-old Jermaine Gregoire during an argument at an apartment in the 100 block of Joe Parquet Circle sometime around 2:20 a.m. Sunday.

According to a report from the Sheriff’s Office, deputies responding to a call about a shooting at the apartment found Gregoire, who had been shot twice, lying on the floor near the entrance of the apartment. Gregoire was transported to River Parishes Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Tregre said Fleming was still present at the apartment when deputies arrived. Tregre said Fleming told officers he shot Gregoire. He said Fleming also led officers to the gun used in the shooting, which was found on a coffee table in the apartment. Tregre would not say what type of gun was used in the shooting.

Tregre said several other individuals were present in the apartment at the time of the shooting. He said witnesses stated that Fleming and Gregoire exchanged words throughout the evening as Gregoire entered and exited the apartment. When Fleming opened fire on Gregoire, Tregre said all witnesses fled the scene.

Tregre said it is not clear who called police following the shooting. Investigators are still trying to locate witnesses who were present at the time of the shooting. Tregre said investigators believe witnesses may have overheard statements made by Fleming and Gregoire regarding threats of violence toward each other.

Fleming was booked into the Sherman Walker Correctional Facility in LaPlace on one charge of second-degree murder. He is being held without bond pending a hearing this week.