A Louisiana uncle and niece were shot to death in what’s been described as a “targeted” shooting at a home about 29 miles west of New Orleans on Friday night as they prepared for a toddler’s birthday party the next day
A Louisiana girl, 11, and her uncle were fatally shot on Friday night while blowing up balloons for a toddler’s birthday party in what’s been described as a “targeted” shooting.
Samiya Mcclain, 11, was with her uncle, Ron Tate, 50, blowing up balloons at a home in the 1300 block of North Sugar Ridge Drive in LaPlace, Louisiana, which is about 29 miles west of New Orleans, at approximately 11:48 p.m. when an unidentified individual began shooting into the home.
Reports came in soon thereafter to report the gunfire, and the police found three victims “suffering from apparent gunshot wounds,” Sheriff Mike Tregre told WWL Louisiana.
The shooting occurred at a home in LaPlace ( Image: WWLTV)
The uncle-niece duo ultimately succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at a local hospital, while a third victim — a woman — was grazed by a gunshot and was being treated for their injuries. As many as a dozen bullets flew into the home, it was reported.
The injured party has not been identified by the authorities. It was reported that the trio had been blowing up balloons for a 3-year-old’s birthday party when the shooting began.
“At this time, we believe this was a targeted, planned attack,” Tregre said but didn’t provide additional details. Other individuals were reportedly inside the home at the time, too, but how many or what their relations were to Tate and Mcclain wasn’t immediately clear.
The home belonged to Tate, and Mcclain had been visiting him there. Some of the neighbors’ vehicles were also damaged in the shooting, it was reported, with one neighbor telling the outlet that she cowered in her home away from the windows as the incident unfolded, only coming out when she saw the police outside.
The authorities are looking for suspects, and anyone with information is being asked to contact St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office Det. Sgt. Vince Smith at 504-494-3696 or 985-359-8763.
The entire office is also open to tips, which can be dialed in at 985-359-8477. Crimestoppers can also be reached at 504-822-1111, or tips can be submitted on the sheriff’s office website. Anyone who provides a tip is able to remain anonymous.
