NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans police arrested a man Friday in connection with the killing of a 70-year-old whom police say was shot to death by an intruder in his home.
Azemore Joseph, 34, was booked Saturday into the Orleans Justice Center on a charge of second-degree murder, according to jail records.
NOPD detectives issued a warrant for his arrest after identifying him as a suspect in the murder. Joseph was arrested four days after the Jan. 20 shooting.
The victim, identified as 70-year-old Lloyd Vanderhost Sr., was found after police responded to a reported shooting at his home in the 1600 block of Treasure Street around 8 p.m. Monday.
He was rushed to the hospital, where he died from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Local business owner and neighbor Riva La Voy said she knew something was wrong when she heard a sound break the silence on the street.
“I heard some loud noise and yelling, then heard some shots,” La Voy said.
La Voy, who owns several buildings on the street, had no idea why Vanderhost was a target.
“He was a good quy, quiet,” she said. “We would chit chat when he walked back and forth to the gas station.
La Voy says the victim worked as a plumber and helped her complete several maintenance projects on her buildings.
Tuesday, Vanderhost's house was boarded up, his front window cracked by a bullet hole.
If Joseph is convicted of the murder, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, without the possibility of parole.
Bail was set at $350,000. Joseph is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing Feb. 12.
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