RESERVE — It had been longer than normal since anyone had seen or heard from Ashton Fleming.

That led to someone checking on the 29-year-old local man at his Reserve home Thursday afternoon.

What resulted is a homicide investigation, St. John the Baptist Parish’s first killing of 2019.

“A person went over there to check on him, made entry into the home, saw him on the floor and thought it was a medical call,” Sheriff Mike Tregre said.

Authorities quickly responded, arriving at 3:25 p.m. Thursday, only to find Fleming dead in his Northwest First Street home, the victim of multiple gunshot wounds.

He was pronounced deceased by the coroner’s office.

A time of death is still being determined, with police believing the victim passed away long before their Thursday afternoon arrival.

Tregre noted first responders said Fleming “was cold to the touch.”

Authorities believe Fleming and his killer knew each other. Tregre said there were no forced entry indicators at the scene. Robbery is not believed to be a motive.

“The community has been responsive,” Tregre said. “They have been calling. We appreciate that, as always.”

Sheriff’s Office personnel are canvassing the area; with Tregre saying the response team was on scene all throughout the night Thursday and into Friday.

Anyone with information about the fatal shooting is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS, Criminal Investigations Division at 985-359-8644, dispatch at 985-652-6338 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.