By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – The St. John Sheriff’s Office announced this week that deputies have made a series of arrests in a string of shootings that took place in the parish over the past month.

The most recent apprehension came this past Wednesday when deputies took 18-year-old Timothy Butler into custody in connection with a May 5 shooting in the 100 block of Cranberry Street in Garyville. The shooting involved a 31-year-old male, who was later transported to River Parishes Hospital, and treated for his injuries.

 Maj. Mike Tregre, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office, said statements in the investigation from witnesses led to Butler’s arrest. Tregre said the victim in the case, along with some friends, were at a residence in the block when Butler entered and opened fire.

Tregre said Butler was booked into the Sherman Walker Correctional facility and charged with attempted first-degree murder. His bond was set at $350,000.

In an unrelated investigation, deputies arrested 18-year-old Alvin Riley in connection with a May 4 shooting near Joe Parquet Circle.

According to a Sheriff’s Office report, around 2 a.m. on May 4, deputies were called to the scene in response to gunfire in the area. Deputies who reported to the scene interviewed Riley’s mother, who stated that Riley left her residence with his stepfather’s gun. She then told detectives she heard several gunshots coming from the Marvin Gardens area.

Tregre said Riley was booked with attempted first-degree murder, simple battery, aggravated criminal damage to property, and attempted simple battery. He is being held at the Sherman Walker Correctional Facility on $250,000 bond.

Tregre also announced the arrest of 23-year-old Lorenzo Eugene, who had been wanted in the parish since April 29. He said Eugene, who has 23 arrests in St. John Parish, had been wanted in connection with an April 26th shooting in the 200 block of Little Hope Street in Garyville.

According to a report on the incident, Eugene had fired several shots into a home in the block, and managed to hit a 15-year-old resident of the home in the leg. The girl was transported to River Parishes Hospital, and treated for her injuries.

Tregre said the shooting stemmed from an earlier altercation between Eugene, and Ron James, the owner of the home.

Eugene was booked with attempted first-degree murder and criminal damage to property. He is being held on $575,000 bond.

These arrests, coupled with additional recent armed robbery arrests, prompted Sheriff Wayne Jones to hold an impromptu press conference concerning his frustration regarding repeat offenders who continue to walk the streets of St. John Parish. The sheriff said many of the individuals arrested in the past month have been arrested multiple times in the parish.