GARYVILLE — A local man found Wednesday morning in Garyville was killed after being shot in the head multiple times, authorities said.

Authorities identified the victim as Kentrell Hayes, 26, of St. John the Baptist Parish. Hayes’ name was not made public until two days after his body’s discovery.

Sheriff Mike Tregre said the cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds. A run of the victim’s fingerprints revealed his name — authorities confirming the victim’s identification with the assistance of Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory.

“Whoever did this needs to be taken off the streets,” Tregre said.

Deputies discovered the body at 7:40 p.m. Wednesday in the 300 block of Sherman Walker Street in Garyville. The victim was pronounced dead on the scene, according to authorities.

Tregre said the victim was found dead in a vacant lot. A house on one side was being renovated, and the structure on the other is a blighted property.

“The victim was maybe six to eight feet off of the street itself,” Tregre said, adding robbery does not appear to be a motive for the killing.

According to Tregre, authorities have received numerous tips from the public and investigators are going through a list of potential suspects.

“Residents have been very responsive,” he said. “We are getting a lot of leads and tips. We appreciate the community. They have given us a lot of help. We are doing our best to use the information that we have obtained to solve this case.”

St. John Parish Councilman Ranney Wilson represents the district where the fatal shooting took place.

“I feel sorry for the family and sorry for the person who lost their life,” he said.

“They have my condolences. People who do things like this are crazy, or they just don’t care.

“They just start shooting.”

Wilson said, unfortunately, police officers can’t sit outside every house all the time.

“I was in the law enforcement for 10 years, I know things happen,” Wilson said. “I’ve been there, I’ve seen it and I’ve experienced it. I hope they catch the person responsible for this.”

Wilson acknowledges there is crime in his district, but he says it’s not as bad as it has been in recent years.

— By Raquel Derganz Baker