The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting death of a 51-year-old man following a disturbance at a home in the 2100 block of Williamsburg Drive in LaPlace on Thursday (Nov. 21, 2024) night. St. John Sheriff’s Office detectives say Anthony Kelly was shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at a local medical center.
The Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance call around 11:45 p.m. at the house. Investigators learned that Kelly, who had a history of mental illness, had entered his nephew’s house and kicked in a bedroom door while armed with a large kitchen knife. Inside the bedroom were Damien Keys, Keys’ girlfriend and their infant child.
Damien Keys told investigators that he retrieved a nearby handgun and fired several times at Anthony Kelly who was swinging the knife.
After being shot, Anthony Kelly ran from the house and was found by deputies a few blocks away lying on the ground. He was transported by Acadian Ambulance to Ochsner LaPlace where he was pronounced dead.
Earlier on Thursday (Nov. 21) Anthony Kelly was involved in an altercation with other family members.
St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division is continuing to investigate this shooting. However, investigators say the shooting appears to be justifiable homicide.