LAPLACE — A 28-year-old local man is behind bars, charged with killing a woman, who was a single-leg amputee, authorities said.

Royce Burse of LaPlace was booked Tuesday in connection with the fatal shooting of Samantha Griffin, 46, of LaPlace.

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies and emergency medical services responded to Griffin’s apartment in the 300 block of East Airline Highway Friday to find Griffin with an apparent gunshot wound to her left arm.

Authorities reported the wound was severe with heavy bleeding, and Griffin was pronounced dead on the scene.

Burse was arrested Saturday for possession of synthetic marijuana and a probation violation.

During the investigation, detectives recovered a weapon and ammunition used in the shooting and are being led to believe robbery may have been the motive for Griffin’s shooting.

Griffin collected rent checks at the apartment complex she and Burse each lived at.

Detectives booked Burse Tuesday with second degree murder and possession of a firearm/carrying concealed weapon by a convicted felon.

He is being held at Sherman Walker Corrections Center in lieu of a $766,500 bond.

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