MARRERO, La. — A 9-year-old boy was shot in Marrero as witnesses chased a burglary suspect attempting to steal from vehicles in the area.
It happened in the 400 block of Avenue L in Marrero at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday.
According to Jefferson Parish Sheriff, Joe Lopinto, an unidentified armed suspect was attempting to burglarize vehicles in the area when witnesses confronted the suspect, who then ran away. The witnesses then chased after the fleeing suspect.
The 9-year-old's grandfather, Alvin Phoenix, identified the child as Brandon Gray. He said that Brandon and his mother just got home when the shooting happened. According to the grandfather, Brandon was getting out of his mother's car when he was shot in the leg.
“I got here, I seen my grandson laying on the ground. I just, it brought me to a place I didn’t want to go,” says Phoenix. “It is like, it felt like taking the law into my own hands. I’m going to say that. I felt like taking the law into my own hands after that, because it is like it is too much.”
The boy was taken to the hospital for treatment and listed in stable condition.
The investigation is ongoing. The sheriff’s office has not yet released information on the suspect.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact our Gun Violence Unit at 504-364-5300 or call Crimestoppers.
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