Marrero, La. -
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has identified a 15-year-old boy who was found shot to death in Marrero Friday.
Deputies say the body of 15-year-old Allard Winfield Jr. of Marrero was found Friday evening in the woods near the 1200 block of Robinson Avenue in Marrero, not far from his home address.
Nearby residents tell FOX 8 News that Winfield had been missing since Tuesday, and they say they called authorities about his disappearance on Tuesday. JPSO has not confirmed that, but we did get an advisory from a Sheriff's Office spokesman late Friday night:
Sheriff Newell Normand reports, this evening around 6:12 PM our officers were dispatched to Johnny Jacobs playground in Marrero to assist in searching for a possible missing 15-year-old male subject. Upon arrival on the scene our officers checked the parking lot area around Johnny Jacobs and were unsuccessful in locating anyone.
A short time later, around 7:24 p.m. our officers were dispatched to the 1200 block of Robinson Avenue for a similar complaint related to the missing 15-year-old.
Responding officers arrived on the scene and met with two individuals who identified themselves as the aunt and uncle of the missing 15-year-old. They expressed an interest in having our officers search the wooded area behind 1200 Robinson Ave. for their missing nephew. Shortly thereafter around 7:52 p.m. our officers located the body of a male subject lying in a drainage ditch behind 12xx Robinson Ave. The body appeared to be that of a young black male who appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds. Due to the condition of the body the Coroners Office was unable to confirm the identity as that of the missing 15-year-old. An autopsy will be performed by the Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office in order to determine the cause of death, as well as confirm the identity of the victim.
Anyone with information in this matter is asked to contact Detective Brett Beavers at 364-5300 or Crimestoppers.
Saturday, JPSO reported Winfield's identity, and said he died of a gunshot wound to the head.
Investigators have not identified any suspects or motives in Winfield's slaying.
If you have any information about this deadly attack, please call JPSO or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.
Monitor FOX8Live.com and watch out Saturday evening newscasts for updates to this developing story.
The mother of Allard Winfield Jr. holds up two photographs of her slain son
