HOUMA, La. — An 18-year-old Houma man has been arrested on a second-degree murder charge following a shooting Tuesday night on Grand Caillou Road that left one man dead.
Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet announced Wednesday that Kasen Patrick Verrett, 18, of Houma, was arrested on charges of Second Degree Murder, Obstruction of Justice, and Handling of Machine Guns.
Deputies were called shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 11, to a business in the 3700 block of Grand Caillou Road after receiving reports of a shooting.
When deputies arrived, they found an adult male victim in the parking lot suffering from multiple apparent gunshot wounds. First responders provided emergency treatment before the victim was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Investigators quickly developed information identifying a newer-model black SUV as the suspected vehicle involved in the shooting. Detectives later located a vehicle matching that description at a residence in the Woodlawn Ranch Road area.
According to TPSO, a resident flagged down a detective in the 400 block of L Kirth Drive and provided information that a family member may have been involved in the shooting. Verrett later came out of the residence and was taken into custody without incident.
Detectives also identified a juvenile male who had been inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting. After further investigation, authorities determined the juvenile had no involvement in the criminal actions and cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Investigators said digital evidence, physical evidence and witness statements helped establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
During questioning, detectives said Verrett admitted he knew the victim and that the two were family members. Investigators allege the shooting began after an encounter in the parking lot.
According to TPSO, Verrett told detectives that after the victim began walking away, he retrieved an AR-15-style rifle from underneath the front seat of the vehicle and fired multiple rounds, striking the victim several times. Investigators further allege Verrett then exited the vehicle and fired additional rounds before leaving the scene.
Detectives also developed evidence indicating that Verrett allegedly discarded evidence in a nearby cane field following the shooting.
Verrett was booked into the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex and remains jailed on a $2.2 million bond.
Sheriff Soignet praised deputies and detectives for their response and investigative work, saying the case came together through physical, digital and testimonial evidence.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information is expected to be released as it becomes available.
