Crime
11-year-old Samiya McClain and 50-year-old Ron Tate killed in Laplace likely “targeted” shooting
UPDATE: St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre provided an update on the investigation into a devastating shooting incident that occurred in Laplace on Friday night, resulting in the deaths of an 11-year-old girl and a 50-year-old man.
Sheriff Tregre confirmed that the victims were related and released their names: 11-year-old Samiya McClain and 50-year-old Ron Tate.
Tate was the owner of the home on North Sugar Ridge Road where the shooting took place, and McClain was his niece.
The incident unfolded shortly before midnight as the family was preparing for a 3-year-old’s birthday party. While blowing up balloons, they were suddenly targeted by gunfire.
Surveillance footage captured an individual pulling up and firing multiple rounds into the home. At least a dozen bullets struck the house, tragically killing McClain and Tate.
A young woman inside the home was also injured but is expected to recover from a grazing wound.
Sheriff Tregre emphasized that the shooting was a targeted, planned attack and not a random act of violence. Evidence gathered so far supports this conclusion.
The St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Sergeant Vince Smith at 504-494-3696 or 985-359-8763. Citizens can also reach out to the St. John Sheriff’s Office directly.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
An 11-year-old girl and a 50-year-old man were fatally shot in a late-night incident in LaPlace, Louisiana.
The St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the shooting at approximately 11:48 p.m. on Friday, October 4th, in the 1300 block of North Sugar Ridge Drive.
Upon arriving at the scene, deputies discovered three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
Two of the victims, the 11-year-old girl and the 50-year-old man, were transported to a local hospital but tragically succumbed to their injuries.
The third victim sustained a graze wound and is expected to recover.
Investigators are actively working to identify a suspect and determine the motive behind the shooting.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Vince Smith at 504-494-3639 or 985-359-8763.
BARTOW, FL — Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred at 120 Polk Street East in Bartow.
The incident resulted in three individuals sustaining gunshot wounds, including a Bartow Police Department (BPD) officer, a public safety aide (PSA) officer, and the suspect involved.
Emergency medical services were immediately requested at the scene to provide critical aid to all three gunshot victims.
The conditions of the injured individuals have not yet been released.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation.
Law enforcement officials have secured the area as forensic teams and investigators begin processing the scene.
Additional information, including the identities of those involved and any potential charges, is expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
Authorities are asking the public to avoid the area and allow emergency crews to continue their response efforts without obstruction.