1st degree murder arrest among 7 picked up after St. Rose killing

Published 11:52 am Wednesday, July 2, 2014

ST. ROSE — Three more people have been arrested, bringing the total to seven, following the Monday morning fatal shooting of a New Orleans man in St. Rose.

The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests today, which included a juvenile and another person charged with first degree murder.

The most recent arrests include:

• Joseph John Fountain, 19, of 6001 Downman Road in New Orleans for first degree murder.

Fountain was located at his residence this morning by the U.S. Marshals, authorities said.

• Johan Michael Wetwiski, 19, of 4630 Gallatin Street in New Orleans for principal to first degree murder.

Wetwiski turned himself in to the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center, authorities said.

• A male juvenile, 16, of New Orleans is charged with principal to first degree murder.

He was located this morning by the U.S. Marshals at his residence, authorities said.

The announcement today follows news Tuesday four other arrests.

At approximately 5 a.m. Monday, authorities responded to a call of a shooting on Kennedy Street in St. Rose. When they arrived , authorities found 21-year-old Richard A. Bailey of 1220 Adams Street in New Orleans dead on the scene.

He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

Capt. Patrick Yoes said evidence collected leads investigators to believe the shooting resulted from a drug deal gone bad.

Initial arrests included:

• Anthony J. Rotondi, 21, of 631 Oliver St. in New Orleans was arrested and booked with principal to first degree murder.

• Pedro Furlan Jr., 19, of 1061 Sandalwood Drive in Harvey and David Hunter Jr., 17, of 144 Kennedy St. in St. Rose were each arrested and booked with attempted distribution and possession with intent to distribute a schedule I controlled substance.

• Courtney Ward, 18, of 3404 Lemon St. in Metairie was arrested and booked with attempted distribution of a schedule I controlled substance.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office at 985-783-6807 or Crimestoppers at 1-877-903-STOP.

Callers do not have to give their name or testify and could receive up to a $2,500 reward.