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.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.