By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

CONVENT – Authorities in St. James Parish arrested a Convent man in connection with a May 11 shooting at the Magnolia Housing Complex in Vacherie that left a man dead and a woman injured.

Joseph Monroe Johnson, 26, 10413 Legion Lane, was booked with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, according to a release from St. James Sheriff Willy Martin. Johnson is being held at the St. James Parish prison on a $250,000 bond.

According to a release from the Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the housing complex at around 2:45 a.m. on May 11 for a reported shooting. When deputies arrived they found the victims, Aaron Jones, 39, and Christina Gale, 34, on the porch of Jones’ residence.

Jones was pronounced dead at the scene, while Gale was transported to University Hospital in New Orleans, where she was treated and released. Investigators have not identified a motive in the shooting.

Authorities said Johnson was arrested after an extensive manhunt in the Convent area. The case is still under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting should contact the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office at 225-562-2200 or Crimestoppers toll free at 1-877-903-STOP. Crimestoppers is offering a reward up to $2,500 for information on the incident. Callers do not have to give their name or testify to receive the cash reward.