LAPLACE — Authorities believe they have a suspect in custody and have recovered the weapon used in the shooting death of a LaPlace woman.

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre said the victim, identified as 46-year-old Samantha Griffin, was killed by gunshot Friday. Griffin was a single-leg amputee.

Deputies and emergency medical services responded to an apartment in the 300 block of East Airline Highway in LaPlace at 9 p.m. to find a female shot. Griffin was pronounced dead on the scene.

Tregre said investigators arrested a suspect on unrelated charges and are working to build a homicide case based on a recovered weapon and ammunition believed to have been used in Friday’s fatal shooting.

Authorities said robbery may have been the shooting’s motive, as Griffin, who was routinely seen in LaPlace traveling on her motorized wheelchair, was known to collect rent checks.

The investigation remains active, Tregre said.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting incident is encouraged 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 http://stjohnsheriff.org/submitatip.php.