Eight suspected gang members arrested in Terrebonne investigation
Eight suspected gang members were arrested and four remain at large in connection with a series of recent Houma shootings, authorities said in a Thursday press conference.
Members of the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Gang Investigation Team, or GIT, launched an investigation into alleged criminal gang activity following a fatal shooting at a Houma Sonic drive-in July 19 that claimed the life of a 21-year-old Schriever man, Sheriff Tim Soignet said.
Soignet said he formed GIT with members of the Sheriff s Office Detective Bureau and Narcotics Division to quell the spike in violence.
Police have arrested a suspect wanted in connection with the shooting death of a Raceland man Thursday night in Houma.
Lajohn Thomas, 22, is charged with second-degree murder, the Houma Police Department said. He is accused of killing 22-year-old Kydriuan Aquad Thompkins around 11 p.m. in a parking lot at 905 Barataria Ave.
Police found Thompkins suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died, authorities said.
Thomas turned himself in to Houma Police around 1:30 p.m. Friday with assistance from Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet and NAACP President Jerome Boykin, authorities said.
With help from the Thibodaux Police Department, investigators identified Thomas as the suspect, police said. A warrant was then issued for his arrest.
Houma Police have released the names of two people killed last week in an apparent murder-suicide.
Thirty-three-year-old Beau Blanchard shot and killed Haven Olivier, 27, inside her home Thursday in the 100 block of Mahler Street, authorities said. Blanchard then turned the gun on himself and took his own life, Lt. Travis Theriot said.
Police did not release a motive but said the incident is being investigated.
“At this point in time, we have no reason to believe any other persons are involved,” Theriot said. “There is no threat to public safety.”
Police Chief Dana Coleman said he was saddened by the incident and called for an end to violence.
âThis is the tip of the iceberg,â says Terrebonne Sheriff following 8 arrests of âBag Chasinâ Babiesâ gang members
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff arrested people connected to violent gang By Rilwan Balogun | December 10, 2020 at 3:48 PM CST - Updated December 11 at 7:17 AM
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet announces the arrests of eight people connected to what he calls a gang.
In a press briefing, the sheriff sends a warning to would-be criminals, âif youâre going to start committing crimes out here, we ainât tolerating it.â
The age of the eight ranges from 17 to 22.
âThese guys are not new to the game, theyâre young but theyâre not new,â Soignet said.