9-year-old struck by stray bullet after witnesses chase suspected car burglar in Marrero

MARRERO, La. (WVUE) - A 9-year-old boy was struck by a stray bullet as witnesses were trying to stop a car burglary in Marrero, according to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say they found a juvenile male shot in the leg outside of a home in the 400 block of Avenue L around 7:30 p.m. Mon., Oct. 24.

“It’s just rough. Just rough,” the boy’s grandfather Alvin Phoenix says.

Investigators say someone was trying to break into vehicles in the area when he was spotted by a witness. The suspect ran away, but the witnesses chased him.

“They had some guys walking from down the street arguing about something and then when they got to here, the shooting just started,” Phoenix explains.

During the chase, Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the suspect opened fire on the witnesses and one of the bullets hit the young boy.

“My daughter was pulling up into the yard and they were getting out of the truck,” Phoenix says. “And as my grandbaby got out on that side, they started shooting.”

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“I commend the neighbors for doing their job and being vigilant in their neighborhood, observing things, knowing something was out of place, went and checked on them,” Lopinto says. “My only complaint is that I wish they would have called 911 first so we could have been there quick and set up a perimeter before they chased after him.”

Deputies are still searching for the shooter.

Phoenix says his grandson is in stable condition but he worries about the boy’s recovery mentally.

“He was just panicking because he was shot. He didn’t know what to do,” Phoenix says.

People who live in the area say it’s normally a quiet neighborhood and they’re shocked by what happened.

If you have any information that may help detectives, you’re asked to call the sheriff’s office.

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