By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

RESERVE — Two LaPlace men have been arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder in connection with daytime shots that rang out near children at play in Reserve.

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area of East 22nd Street and River Road in Reserve at 11:44 a.m. Feb. 3 following a report of gunshots fired.

A female victim, whose residence was struck by a bullet, told deputies she was in her house when she heard multiple gunshots. When she ran outside to check on the welfare of children that were playing, she said she saw a car on East 22nd Street traveling fast toward River Road.

Through witness accounts of the incident, detectives found a second victim and, based on the findings of the investigation and the victim’s statement, obtained arrest warrants for Corey Anderson, 21, of Boardwalk Street in LaPlace and Shaquille Matthews, 23, of Willow Street in LaPlace.

Sheriff Mike Tregre said the investigation is continuing, adding more arrests may follow. He said the investigation revealed the intended target of the gunfire was someone who lived at the house struck by the bullets.

“This is a very good case,” Tregre said. “It’s very good police work.”

A vehicle was seized and towed as evidence, Tregre said, and authorities recovered an assault weapon out of the vehicle as part of the investigation.

Anderson was arrested Friday on a fugitive warrant from Evangeline Parish and booked Saturday on a St. John Parish arrest warrant for attempted second-degree murder and aggravated criminal damage to property.

Anderson, who authorities said has been arrested seven times in St. John Parish since 2010, remains in custody in lieu of a $205,000 bond set by Judge Mary Becnel.

Matthews was arrested Monday and booked on a St. John Parish arrest warrant for attempted second-degree murder, aggravated criminal damage to property and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Matthews, who authorities said has been arrested six times in St. John Parish since 2008, remains in custody in lieu of a $295,000 bond set by Judge Mary Becnel.

Tregre said the investigation took place at the same time his detectives responded to a call and subsequently arrested Clarence Bolden, the Reserve man authorities said followed a female victim into a house, choked her and threatened her with a screwdriver.

Tregre said he was proud his department was successful in the three arrests.