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LAPLACE — On December 17 at approximately 8:05 p.m., members of St. John Sheriff’s Office working the holiday shopping center parking lot security detail heard what sounded like gunshots in the 1800 block of W. Airline Highway.

Officers converged on the area and located two females had been shot. One female, age 24 of LaPlace, was found in the parking lot and had suffered a gunshot wound to the leg area. Officers then discovered a second victim, age 23 of LaPlace, had been shot in neck and was inside of a business on the floor.

Officers immediately initiated stop the bleed techniques. Both victims were transported to University Medical Center.

Investigators have determined that this was not a random act. Investigators are asking that anyone with information is asked to call or text Detective Sergeant Carolina Pineda at 504-494-3840 or Crimestoppers at 822-1111.