PONCHATOULA, La. — A man who was the victim of an apparent robbery attempt has been arrested on second-degree murder charges because he allegedly followed the fleeing suspect and shot him to death when he was no longer a threat to the accused, Tangipahoa Parish Sherriff's Office Chief Jimmy Travis said.
According to Travis, 21-year-old Joshua Taylor, 18-year-old Breona Johnson and a 15-year-old girl had devised a plan to drug and rob 24-year-old Devante Collins of Slidell.
Travis said that at one point Taylor had a baseball bat in an attempt to injure Collins. He said that at that point, Collins produced a gun and Taylor dropped the bat and fled on foot.
Travis said that Collins chased after Taylor who was running away and at some point fired several shots that struck and killed him.
The sheriff's office reported on July 4 that it had received a distressed phone call around 3 a.m. with someone, later identified as Taylor saying they had been shot several times. Taylor was rushed to North Oaks Medical Center and a spokesperson said that investigators were able to piece together what happened. Taylor did not survive.
Travis told WWL-TV that under law, a person being attacked has a right to defend themselves or others if they fear great bodily harm or death but that once the suspect is no longer a threat, you cannot chase them down and shoot them.
Collins was booked on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a firearm. The two others believed to have plotted with Taylor to rob Collins also face charges.
Johnson was booked on charges of second-degree murder, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and aggravated battery by poisoning.
The 15-year-old girl faces charges of second-degree murder and aggravated battery.
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