By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Tension among young people across town lines in St. John the Baptist Parish led to a dangerous shootout this month, two victims and two arrests, authorities said.

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Jontrell Cosey, 24, of Cynthia Circle in Reserve and Kody Duhe, 22, of Historic East Street in Garyville Wednesday in connection with the double shooting that occurred on East 13th Street in Reserve on May 6.

Cosey was arrested and booked with attempted second-degree murder and aggravated criminal damage to property.

Duhe was arrested and booked with principal to attempted second-degree murder and aggravated second-degree battery.

Following the shooting, a 20-year-old victim, whose name has not been released and who lives on East 12th Street, was shot in the head and taken to University Hospital for medical treatment. Authorities reported earlier he was in intensive care and on a ventilator.

Sheriff Mike Tregre said Friday the 20-year-old was still hospitalized. Authorities said the second shooting victim, a 15-year-old male from East 13th Street, was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for medical treatment for a gunshot wound to his lower leg. He was treated for the wound and has been released.

Tregre said it appears at this point from the investigation that Cosey’s weapon was the one that shot the victim in the head.

“It seems to be another case of young people who can’t seem to coexist,” Tregre said, adding the two arrested this week are the main people who were firing, but more arrests may be coming. The sheriff said tensions have been high and violence has escalated between young people in Reserve and Garyville.