By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Siblings shot in LaPlace’s Cambridge Subdivision Oct. 1 and the September homicide of a Lutcher man in Cambridge appear to be connected, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre said this week.

St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 500 block of Revere Drive at 9:36 p.m. Oct. 1 after gunshots were heard in the area.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered two siblings each received a non-life threatening gunshot to the right thigh area.

After an investigation, it was determined two unknown black males in an older model gold Oldsmobile 2D Cutlass Supreme began shooting at the victims, identified as Roddy Johnson, 22, and his sister, who is 14.

Witnesses said the two suspects were possibly joined by more people in the car.

Tregre said the victims were treated for their injuries and have since been released from medical care. He said information on the types of weapons used in the shootings would continue to be withheld at this time.

Tregre said the shooting “appears to be retaliatory from a homicide that took place with Ian Robertson.”

Robertson, 33, of Lutcher died Sept. 14 at River Parishes Hospital, just an hour after authorities found him shot on the ground at the intersection of Revere Drive and Essex Drive.

At the time of the killing, Tregre said Robertson and the shooter definitely knew each other and it was not a random act.

“Both cases appear to be connected,” Tregre said of Robertson’s homicide and the siblings being shot, adding the teenage sister “may have been an unintentional target.”

Tregre said the Sheriff’s Office is in possession of a car matching the description of the gold Oldsmobile. He said the car was recovered from St. Charles Parish and is being processed for evidence.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

Residents who call Crimestoppers do not have to testify in court and may qualify for a cash reward.

Tips can also be submitted on the Sheriff’s Office website at stjohnsheriff.org/submitatip.php.