By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Video surveillance captured what appears to be the build up and aftermath of a violent killing this week in LaPlace, authorities reported.

The actual killing, however, was not captured on tape, Sheriff Mike Tregre said.

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 100 block of Montegut Avenue in LaPlace Tuesday night following the report of a bleeding man in the street.

Deputies found the man unresponsive and not breathing with an apparent stab wound in the chest.

The victim — identified as Jose Juan Rivera, 52, of the 100 block of Montegut Avenue — was pronounced dead on the scene, which is a mobile home park.

Tregre said video surveillance taken from a nearby business shows a male subject and Rivera talking to each other before the fatal stabbing.

Tregre said the actual attack occurred a few moments later, but the video footage does not catch it. However, “just after you can see the male subject running from the scene,” Tregre added.

According to Tregre, the 100 block of Montegut Avenue has very little pedestrian traffic and is not heavily traveled, and “investigators believe someone who resides in the trailer park may have witnessed or may have knowledge regarding the identity of the suspect.

“We believe (the killer) may have gotten injured during the altercation, so he may have fresh injuries or cuts to his body,” Tregre said.

As of Friday morning, authorities were not able to release any information on the suspect, according to St. John Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Dane Clement.

Anyone with information regarding the fatal stabbing is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

Those who call Crimestoppers do not have to testify and may qualify for a cash reward. Tips can also be submitted at stjohnsheriff.org/submitatip.php.