Three wounded after New Years shooting in Raceland

Two Raceland men are currently hospitalized at University Hospital in New Orleans after a Friday night shooting outside a Williams Street Club in the Alidore community in Raceland.

According to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, 19-year-old Charleston Hogan is in stable condition and 27-year-old Chaserea Wheaton is in critical condition following the shooting.

Hogan was shot several times in the lower back by gunfire and Wheaton was shot in the mid-back and suffered an injury to his spine.

A third person, 29-year-old Jarrid Hester, was also shot, but suffered only minor injuries to his left arm and chest and has since been released after being treated at Ochsner St. Anne hospital.

The shooting occurred just after 10 p.m. on New Years’ night at James Lounge in the Alidore community in Raceland.

According to Sgt. Lesley Hill Peters with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, the police are currently interviewing witnesses to uncover suspects and a motive for the crime.

“At this time, we still don’t have a motive established,” Hill Peters said. “The investigation is still ongoing and it’s our hope to have more information out soon.”

Anyone with information about the crime is encouraged to call Lafourche Crimestoppers at 1-800-SHERIFF.

The shooting was an eventful beginning to 2010 after what was a quiet year for murders in Lafourche Parish in 2009.

There were just two murders in the parish in 2009, down from nine in 2008 – marking a 450 percent decrease.

That number is the lowest total the parish has had since 2002.

According to the sheriff’s office, the Lafourche’s first murder case occurred on May 10, 2009, in Raceland’s Alidore community when 23-year-old Toby Gray of Raceland allegedly shot and killed 37-year-old Raquel Barrios over a financial dispute. The investigation of the shooting concluded the suspect and the victim had an ongoing two- to three-week relationship prior to the shooting.

Gray is scheduled to face second-degree murder charges in Judge Jerome Barbera’s courtroom on March 9. If Gray is found guilty, he will face a mandatory life-sentence.

Lafourche’s second case occurred on June 3 when 19-year-old Mekell Tackno allegedly shot and killed 18-year-old Ronnie Brown. According to the investigation, the shooting occurred after Tackno allegedly became agitated with remarks and gestures Brown made toward him.

The shooting occurred outside the Thibodaux city limits at the intersection of Amanda and Karla drives in the Abby community.

Tackno is scheduled to face second-degree murder charges in Judge Hugh “Buddy” Larose’s courtroom on March 19.

Like Gray, Tackno will face a life sentence if found guilty.