By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Authorities in St. John the Baptist Parish are investigating the parish’s first homicide of the year after a 49-year-old man was found shot and killed inside a LaPlace home early this morning, according to a release from the Sheriff’s Office.

A 50-year-old woman was also wounded in the shooting, which occurred in the 300 block of Fir Street just before 2:30 a.m. Monday, said Dane Clement, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.

Clement said John Wactor of LaPlace, who was shot in the face, was pronounced dead inside the home by medical examiners at the scene. Clement said an autopsy is scheduled for later this afternoon.

The female victim was found in the back yard of the home with gunshot wounds to the right thigh and left shoulder. Clement said she was taken to a New Orleans area hospital for treatment of her injuries and her condition is unknown.

Clement said Wactor and the woman, whose name was not released, were described as friends. He said detectives are conducting interviews, and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should call St. John the Baptist Parish Detectives at 985-359-8769 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.