Man targeted in LaPlace shooting
Published 7:47 am Thursday, March 24, 2016
LAPLACE — A 37-year-old man was shot this week after he and a friend visited the friend’s sister in LaPlace, authorities said.
Wendell Duhe
St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at 6:49 p.m. Monday to a home in the 900 Block of Whitlow Court in LaPlace following a shots fired report.
Sheriff Mike Tregre said deputies found the 37-year-old victim sitting in a truck with lacerations to his face and chest.
“He told deputies that he was possibly shot in the upper left side of his chest,” Tregre said. “Emergency medical services attended to his injuries and transported the victim to University Hospital for treatment. Hospital staff confirmed that the victim sustained a gunshot graze wound.”
Prior to the shooting, the victim’s friend and truck owner sat outside the residence with his sister, her husband and the victim visiting and drinking.
Sgt. Dane Clement said Wendell Duhe, identified as the husband, and the victim got into a verbal altercation, adding authorities are unsure if the victim and Duhe met prior to Monday. Authorities were unable to confirm what led to the verbal altercation, Clement said.
Duhe, 43, told the victim to get off his property, prompting the victim to sit in his friend’s truck.
Clement said the truck was parked in the driveway.
According to witnesses, authorities said Duhe went in the home, returned with a handgun and fired one shot at the truck.
“It’s never legal to shoot someone that’s on your property, unless your life is being threatened or someone else’s life is being threatened,” Clement said.
The victim was sitting in the passenger side of the truck when the shot came through the window closest to him.
Detectives booked Duhe Tuesday with aggravated battery with a dangerous weapon. Attempted homicide is not being investigated at this time, Clement said, adding the charge was appropriate to the findings of the investigation.
Deputies first arrested Wendell Duhe Monday on an unrelated outstanding warrant for simple assault.
Duhe remains in custody in lieu of an $8,500 bond.
