GRETNA, La. — A pair of brothers bent on revenge against someone they said previously stabbed one of them took matters into their own hands and gunned down a homeless man they believed responsible, Gretna Police Chief Arthur Lawson said Wednesday.
Lawson said an investigation began after the body of 47-year-old Ronald McClure was found on a walking path under the West Bank Expressway on January 12.
According to Lawson, Maurrio Antoine and his younger brother got off the bus from Algiers at the Wilty Station that night and saw McClure, who was wanted in Jefferson Parish for the stabbing of the younger brother.
Lawson said the two young men followed McClure, who was known to be homeless and frequent the area, and then Antoine peeled away as his brother continued following McClure and shot him three times. Lawson said the younger brother was egged on to the crime by Antoine.
Following the incident, surveillance video obtained from several businesses in the area showed the two suspects making their way back to the bus station and boarding another coach before allegedly returning back to Algiers.
Antoine was arrested at a restaurant in New Orleans, while the juvenile was arrested while getting off a bus in Algiers. He is said to have been in possession of a 9mm handgun at the time of his apprehension, as well as a .40 caliber weapon which is believed to be the gun used in the homicide.
"Our detectives have interviewed both of the perpetrators, both have given a full confession and details of the circumstances surrounding the homicide," said Lawson.
The police chief said that Gretna has now recorded two homicides in 2024 without having a single killing in 2023.
"Our close proximity to the city of New Orleans, particularly Algiers, we've always had some influence of crime that spills over into our jurisdiction."
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