Victim improves; shooter still at large

As of this morning, a 47-year-old woman was in stable condition in the hospital after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds when an unidentified suspect shot her at a Bayou Vista home Wednesday morning. Detectives are seeking the public’s help to identify the alleged shooter.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Spokeswoman Traci Landry said detectives learned that the shooting victim was in stable condition this morning at a New Orleans hospital after originally reporting her condition as critical yet stable Wednesday afternoon.
Detectives have not yet identified the alleged shooter in the case, Landry said.
At 11:18 a.m. Wednesday, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a shooting at a home in the 400 block of Saturn Road in Bayou Vista. Deputies arrived at the location and made contact with a 47-year-old woman, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body, according to a news release.
Acadian Ambulance personnel rendered medical attention and the victim was transported to Teche Regional Medical Center. A be-on-the-lookout bulletin was issued for the suspect and deputies immediately searched the area. Bayou Vista Elementary was placed on lock down, and deputies were stationed at the school, the release stated.
During the investigation, detectives learned that the victim heard a noise and exited into the back yard of the home.
The suspect, who was near a fence at the back of the property, saw the victim, the release said. The suspect then confronted the victim and produced a handgun, the release said.
After a brief argument, the suspect fired the weapon multiple times and fled the area, the release said. The suspect is described as a heavy set, olive-complected white or Hispanic male with short blond hair. The suspect was last seen wearing a striped shirt and khaki pants, according to the news release.
Landry encouraged anyone with any information on the shooting to call the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office at 985-384-1622 or 337-828-1960. Callers can remain anonymous. Tips can also be submitted by emailing crimewatch@stmaryso.com or through the “Contact Us” link at the top of the page on stmaryso.com. Users don’t have to enter a return email address in the “Contact Us” email form, Landry said.