By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

CHACKBAY — A Vacherie man was arrested Wednesday and charged with murder after his brother died as a result of a shooting in Chackbay Tuesday evening.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre said 30-year-old Johuan Gasery of Vacherie has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of his brother, Rashaud Gasery, 22, of Chackbay.

According to Webre, at around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday deputies responded to a shooting at Rashaud’s residence and discovered he had been struck in the arm by a single round, which continued through to his chest.

Rashaud was taken to the hospital by ambulance, where he was later pronounced dead. Johuan, who was on the scene when law enforcement arrived, told deputies he accidentally shot Rashaud.

According to authorities, Johuan was detained for questioning and told detectives he and Rashaud were engaged in a verbal altercation outside the residence when Rashaud punched him.

According to a press release from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, Johuan admitted to pulling out a handgun and firing one shot into the ground. Johuan told detectives the gun then accidentally fired as he tried to throw it to the ground.

Detectives found Johuan’s account of the shooting inconsistent with evidence recovered at the scene, the press release said, as well as his brother’s wounds.

“Through investigation, detectives learned the shots occurred at two separate locations and believe that Rashaud was fleeing from his brother, Johuan, during the shooting,” the release stated.

Deputy Brennan Matherne of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office said Johuan was arrested in Lafourche Parish and booked with second-degree murder.

Matherne said no information about any witnesses would be released at this time, citing the ongoing investigation. He said St. James Parish law enforcement authorities would not be involved in any part of the case, because the crime and arrest happened in Lafourche Parish.

As of Friday morning, Johuan is being held at the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux in lieu of $1 million bond set by Judge Jerome J. Barbera.