By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Authorities in St. John the Baptist Parish are investigating the parish’s second homicide of the year after a LaPlace man was found dead in a ditch along East 13th Street in Reserve Friday afternoon.

Deputies were called to the 100 block of East 13th Street after gunshots were reported fired in the area, said Capt. Dane Clement, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office. He said when deputies arrived at the scene they found the victim, 23-year-old Jamar Vinnette, lying in the ditch near the road.

Clement said Vinnette had wounds to his head and was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses told investigators a male subject walked up to the victim and shot him. The alleged gunman, who fled the area on foot toward East 12th Street, was described as wearing dark clothing

Clement said detectives are actively investigating all leads but added it is still very early in the investigation. Detectives have no motive and no suspect in the shooting.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should call St. John the Baptist Parish Detectives at 985-652-6338 or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.