By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — A 20-year-old victim remains on a ventilator a week after he and another young person were struck during a shootout in Reserve May 6.

The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office said the 20-year-old, whose name has not been released, lives on East 12th Street and was taken to University Hospital for medical treatment for a gunshot wound to his head. Authorities report he is in intensive care and on a ventilator.

Authorities said the second shooting victim, a 15-year-old male from East 13th Street, was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for medical treatment for a gunshot wound to his lower leg. He was treated for the wound and has been released.

St. John Sheriff Mike Tregre said the case is being investigated and authorities have received information about who is responsible for the crimes.

“The St. John Sheriff’s Office can not do this alone,” Tregre said.

He said community involvement is crucial in helping to prevent crime and reporting who is responsible for crime.

“We have been solving cases, but solving cases is not solving the problem,” Tregre said.

District 3 Councilman Lennix Madere Jr., who represents East 12th and 13th streets in Reserve, said he is very concerned about the amount of violence coming from the area. He said he feels the parish should collaborate with the St. John Parish Housing Authority, School Board and Recreation Department to devise a plan to keep the parish’s youth busy and to help young people get actively engaged in their community.

Madere said he would particularly like to see the recreation department “step it up” and work to make it possible for more children to get involved in parish sports.

He said transportation is particularly an issue for children who would like to participate in programs.

“I’d rather see people using bats, balls and gloves rather than people using guns,” Madere said.

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.

Citizens with information about the shooting who call Crimestoppers do not have to testify in court and may qualify for a cash reward.