An unemployed man was killed on Sunday night in Barataria, in what residents have claimed is part of the escalating gang warfare that has exploded in the area within recent weeks.
Makin Harris, 41, of Seventh Street and Eighth Avenue, Barataria, was found lying in a drain at 8.20 pm.
He was found bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds to the head.
Officers on mobile patrol in Barataria were alerted to gunshots along Seventh Street and Eighth Avenue, and observed a blue Sylphy speeding towards them.
Although the officers attempted to pursue the vehicle, the suspects managed to escape.
As they drove back to the area where the gunshots were heard around 8 pm, they were flagged down by a pedestrian who claimed a man had been shot and was lying in a drain.
They found the victim bleeding from multiple head wounds. He was declared dead at the scene.
Forensic analysts found three 9mm spent shell casings at the scene.
Investigators learned that Harris had been in his yard washing his silver Nissan Tiida when he received a call on his cellphone and walked towards the road to answer.
Gunshots were heard coming from the area where he had been standing, following which he was seen lying dead in the drain.
—Anna-Lisa Paul