2 charged in Morgan City drive-by shooting

Two suspects from New Iberia were arrested Saturday in connection with a drive-by shooting at a residence on Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, during which at least one person sustained a grazing wound to the head, Morgan City Assistant Police Chief Mark Griffin Jr. said in a news release.
—Kevin J. Drexler, 30, of Julia Street in New Iberia, was arrested at 10:45 p.m. Saturday on four counts for attempted first degree murder, aggravated criminal damage to property, assault by drive-by shooting, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, and possession of a firearm in a firearm-free zone
—Kimberly Thompson, 28, of Julia Street in New Iberia, was charged by warrant for four counts of principal to attempted first degree murder, principal to aggravated criminal damage to property, assault by drive-by shooting, and felony contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
At about 4:56 p.m. Friday, officers responded to a shooting in the 5000 block of Railroad Avenue, Griffin said. Officers learned that at least two suspects fired several shots from a handgun in the direction of a residence at that location. At least one person inside the residence was the victim of a grazing type wound to the head, Griffin said. That victim was transported to a medical facility, was treated and later released, Griffin said.
Detectives recovered 11 shell casings from a 9mm handgun, Griffin said. Investigators developed at least two suspects and a description of a vehicle involved, Griffin said.
During the investigation, a named suspect, Drexler, reported to the Morgan City Jail to serve a sentence on unrelated charges from a prior incident, Griffin said. Detectives were able to contact the New Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office who located a vehicle fitting the description of the vehicle involved in the New Iberia area, Griffin said. Morgan City Police Department detectives with the assistance of Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators conducted a search warrant at the Julia Street residence where they located a second suspect, identified as Thompson, Griffin said.
Investigators were able to recover evidence connecting Thompson with the Railroad Avenue shooting, Griffin said. Detectives learned through statements that Drexler had fired several shots from a 9mm handgun at the Railroad Avenue residence while he was seated in the rear of the vehicle with small children next to him, Griffin said.
Thompson is accused of driving the vehicle involved, Griffin said. Iberia Parish authorities arrested Thompson on other charges including drugs and possession of a stolen weapon, Griffin said. Morgan City police investigators secured an arrest warrant for Thompson for principal to attempted first degree murder, principal to aggravated criminal damage to property, assault by drive by shooting, and felony contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile for her involvement in the Railroad Avenue shooting. She remains incarcerated in the New Iberia Parish Jail on Iberia Parish charges, Morgan City Police spokesman Capt. James Blair said. Thompson has bail set at $262,500 for the Morgan City Police Department, Blair said.
Investigators returned to the Morgan City Jail where they confronted Drexler, but he declined to cooperate with investigators, Griffin said. Investigators secured an arrest warrant for Drexler, and he was booked into Morgan City Jail with bail set at $300,000. The investigation is continuing, Griffin said. Anyone who has any additional information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Morgan City Police Department at 985-384-2310, 911 or the local law enforcement agency.