The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested two people, including a 16-year-old, in connection with the murder of Harold Warren, Jr., 16, of LaPlace who was shot and killed in the 3100 block of English Colony Drive in LaPlace on Dec. 17, 2025.
The shooting appears to be the result of an illegal gun deal between juveniles that went wrong.
Following an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, detectives arrested Jace Becnel, 19, of Reserve on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026 and Chance Bailey, 16, of Reserve was arrested Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
Becnel was booked with:
• Second degree murder (felony)
• Attempted second degree murder – 2 counts (felony)
• Contributing to the delinquency of juveniles (felony)
Becnel’s bond on these charges has not been set.
Bailey was booked with:
• Principal to second degree murder
• Illegal possession of a handgun by juvenile (misdemeanor)
• Aggravated assault with a firearm (felony)
• Principal to attempted second degree murder -2 counts.
Bailey is being held under a $472,000 bond.
On Dec. 17, 2025, the SJSO responded to a report of shooting shortly before 7 p.m. Three people were shot, including Warren who was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. A second male, age 19, was shot in the leg. A third male, age 17, was shot multiple times and hospitalized in critical condition. He has been released from the hospital.
The investigation of this case is on-going. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS, the Criminal Investigations Division at 985-618-9559, or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111. Citizens can also submit tips on the Sheriff’s Office website at https://stjohnsheriff.org/crime-arrests/crime-tips/give-us-a-general-crime-tip/