On Sunday, September 7, 2014, at 3:39 pm, St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 1500 block of South Sugar Ridge Drive in LaPlace for the report of several gunshots heard in the area. When deputies arrived on the scene, they saw a truck, house, and mailbox that were struck by bullets. No one was injured.
Investigators received information that two subjects were firing weapons at each other. The investigation revealed that a male subject exited a tan or gold Chevrolet Impala and exchanged gunfire with another male subject that was on foot. A deputy that responded to the area located a parked car that matched the description of the car that fled the scene, and he identified two male subjects that were with the car. A computer check on the subjects revealed that Kendell Esko Jr., 22, of Delta Road in Reserve was wanted on an attachment for contempt of court for failing to appear in court. His original charges were three counts of aggravated criminal damage to property. Deputies arrested and booked Esko on the attachment. He bonded out of jail Monday. Deputies detained the other male subject for further investigation who was later released. Investigators towed the car to process it for evidence.
Detectives continue to investigate this incident. Anyone with information regarding this incident 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 this incident that call Crimestoppers do not have to testify in court and may qualify for a cash reward. Citizens can also submit tips on the Sheriff’s Office website at http://stjohnsheriff.com/submitatip.php.