By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A LaPlace man was charged with attempted first-degree murder Tuesday in connection with a shooting Saturday that wounded an 18-year-old man, according to a spokesman for the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Antonio Eugene, 22, of 730 Iberville St., was arrested at his home without incident, said Lt. Andy Breaux, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office. Breaux said authorities issued a warrant for Eugene’s arrest after a witness came forward with information tying him to the shooting.

“The witness saw the shooting take place, knew the suspect and was able to pick the suspect out of a photographic lineup,” Breaux said. “At that time we issued the warrant.”

Breaux said Eugene was the lone suspect involved in the shooting Saturday evening near the intersection of Yorktowne Drive and Newport Drive. Prior to the witness coming forward, Breaux said investigators had little information to go on.

According to a release from the Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called out to the intersection about 6:10 p.m. Saturday in response to calls of gunfire in the area. Deputies canvassed the area around the intersection, but found no victim, no suspects, no evidence and no apparent witnesses.

Authorities said one resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told deputies the person with a gun was a male subject with dreadlocks and a blue jean jacket. It is not clear whether that witness was the one who identified the shooter.

Just 20 minutes after the initial call, the Sheriff’s Office received a second call reporting gunshots in the same area. When deputies arrived they were met with the same circumstances as before – no victim, no suspects, no witnesses, no evidence.

Then, at 10:28 p.m., St. John 911 operators received a call from Kenner Regional Medical Center personnel, who reported a walk-in patient with a gunshot wound to his right inner thigh. The victim told detectives he had been shot in LaPlace, but he refused to give much more information. Breaux said investigators have determined the victim and Eugene were in an argument prior to the shooting, but there is no established motive.

In addition to the attempted first-degree murder charge, Breaux said Eugene was also charged with illegal use of weapons and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Eugene is being held at the Sherman Walker Correctional Facility on a $310,000 bond.