LAPLACE — Police are searching for a suspect and motive after a LaPlace man was found lying on the side of the road with a gunshot wound.

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre said deputies located the victim at 1:04 a.m. Thursday in the 300 block of Fir Street in LaPlace. They had been alerted to the scene by a shots fired report.

“We found him in the middle of his street lying next to his bicycle,” Tregre said. “We are not releasing his name at this time. Investigators canvassed and searched the area for suspects and witnesses to no avail.”

Deputies identified the victim as a 37-year-old LaPlace man.

Tregre said deputies did not find any weapons around the victim.

Authorities do not have a motive for the shooting or any suspects as of press time Friday, Tregre said.

Emergency medical services brought the victim to University Medical Center in New Orleans, where he  under guard.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is encouraged to call the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

Those who call Crimestoppers do not have to testify and may qualify for a cash reward. Residents can also submit tips at stjohnsheriff.org/submitatip.php.

— By Raquel Derganz Baker