By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – St. John the Baptist Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the report of another shooting death on Wednesday night on 300 block of East 13th Street in Reserve.
A caller reported to 911 operators that a subject was shot and that the friends of the victim were transporting him to River Parishes Hospital. The victim, 29-year-old Donovan Bailey, sustained a single gunshot wound to the upper torso and succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. No one else was injured. Bailey’s death makes the ninth homicide by gunshot of the year in St. John the Baptist Parish.
Two friends of Bailey told investigators they had just dropped off some friends at the rear of East 13th Street, and their van was fired upon while they were leaving the area. Bailey had been driving the van. One of the friends took control of the vehicle and drove to the hospital.
St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre said there is a limited amount of information that he can release regarding the case.
“Right now, we’re actively investigating. There were other individuals in the van with him who were not struck (by the gunfire). We have not determined a motive at this time. ” said Tregre.
Detectives encourage anyone with information regarding this incident to call St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives at 985-359-TIPS or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. Submitting an anonymous tip to Crimestoppers may qualify for a cash reward. Tippers will not be required to testify in court and will be issued a tip number to be identified for the potential award.