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November 28, 2017
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November 30, 2017
As the family of Grace Owens made arrangements for her final repose, the question haunting them was at once simple and complex.
Why and how did the man charged with killing the 75-year-old great-great-grandmother get his hands on a gun?
Owens was shot to death Friday outside her home on Midland Drive in Thibodaux. A neighbor, identified as 41-year-old Kai Williams, is in the Lafourche Parish jail charged with murder, accused as well of attempting to set fire to her with a propane torch. Owens was rushed to Thibodaux Regional Medical Center and then transferred to University Hospital in New Orleans, where she was pronounced dead.
“At a certain age you expect the possibility of death, certainly illness, but to be taken in violence, it is not normal,” said the victim’s sister, Christine Streams. “She survived breast cancer and knee surgery, and for her to leave this earth through violence, we need answers of why did this happen. The police chief said they have him and that he is never going to get out. But that is not answering where did he get his gun from?”
Thibodaux Police Chief Bryan Zeringue said he and his detectives are seeking the same answers. He acknowledged that Williams had a history of disputes with neighbors, although there is no record of any such issues involving Owens.
Detectives located one gun — the .45 pistol that they maintain is the murder weapon — and a machete. No other weapons were found in the home, where Williams lived alone.
“We are working on all of that and be assured it is a priority,” Zeringue said. “It’s an on-going investigation and we are working in conjunction with the district attorney’s office.
As word spread of Owens’ death relatives and friends alike expressed shock and sadness that something like this could have happened.
The mother of eight, including two sets of twins, Owens had worked as a housekeeper while very young and ran a day-care center for much of her life.
“She cared for children from toilet training them through starting school, all of their basics,” said a daughter, Pamela Naverre. “Some of those children are already grown and been to college.”
A vigil in honor of Owens where prayers will be said for the entire community of Thibodaux will be held Thursday at 6:40 p.m. outside of St. Luke at 1100 Narrow St. in Thibodaux.
Relatives said all people in the community who have been touched by violence are encouraged to attend. •
