MARRERO, La. (WGNO) — A nine-year-old boy is expected to return home from the hospital soon after being shot outside a home in Marrero Monday (Oct. 24) night. According to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to a report of a shooting at a home in the 400 block of Avenue L around 7:30 p.m.
When they arrived at the location, deputies say they found a boy, identified by family members as Brandon Gray, suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. Gray was taken to the hospital and was last listed in stable condition, according to JPSO.
“Some guys were coming down the street arguing,” Gray’s grandfather Alvin Phoenix said. “There was three of them. One came from that way and the other came from this way. I don’t know what they were arguing about, but the shooting started.”
Sheriff Joe Lopinto said that arguing was between two neighbors and a man suspected of breaking into cars on the street. The neighbors started to chase him. During the chase, the armed suspect shot at the witnesses several times. It was then that Gray was struck by gunfire.
“He’ll probably be limping around on crutches for a while but that’s better than losing his life,” Phoenix said. “I’m still freaked out about it because we never have no problems around here. Everybody gets along around here. It’s a quiet area.”
“Burglaries are something that happen weekly, sometimes nightly, depending on the area,” Sheriff Lopinto said. “We just don’t know where they’re going to strike, whether it’s East Bank or West Bank. Our burglary section does a really good job of following up on whatever evidence is left on scene. We’ve made several arrests over the years of different individuals but they’re still going to happen.”
No suspects have been identified in the case, which remains an ongoing investigation. However, Sheriff Lopinto said he does anticipate an arrest soon.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact JPSO Gun Violence Unit at 504-364-5300. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crimestoppers GNO by calling 504-822-1111 or clicking here.
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