By Stephen Hemelt
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — The fourth victim of homicide in St. John the Baptist Parish this year died in drug-related violence, police said.

St. John Sheriff Mike Tregre said the fatal shooting of Craig Bychurch was drug-related.

“It was not random,” Tregre said. “The suspect definitely lives not far from the actual scene.”

St. John deputies found Bychurch, 54, of Jasper Lane dead the morning of July 2 in the 1900 block of Jasper Lane in New Era Subdivision in LaPlace.

Detectives said Bychurch had lived in LaPlace for only a year before being found dead last week.

Authorities arrived to the scene at 8:21 a.m. and did not identify the victim publicly until the next day in an effort to first notify family members.

Sgt. Dane Clement said Bychurch was originally from Larose and lived in LaPlace since last year.

Authorities said Bychurch was the victim of multiple gunshot wounds.

Detectives asked anyone with information regarding the shooting to call the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. Residents with information do not have to testify in court and may qualify for a cash reward.

They can also submit tips on the Sheriff’s Office website at stjohnsheriff.com/submitatip.php.