HARVEY, LOUISIANA: Two workers were fatally shot by a former employee named Willis Thomas at a Louisiana shipyard on Monday, July 18, according to the authorities. A news release issued by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office states that at around 1 pm local time, deputies were summoned to FMT Shipyard and Repair in Harvey after they received a report of a shooting. The deputies arrived at the scene only to discover two lifeless adult males on the ground, both suffering at least one fatal wound.
The victims were declared dead on the scene and the incident was described by authorities as a double homicide. “Our initial investigation indicates the two victims were employees at the business and were targeted by a former employee. The suspect was identified by witnesses and our detectives began efforts to locate him,” said the sheriff’s office statement.
Who were the victims?
The Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office later identified the two employees who lost their lives at the shipyard as Nakie James Brown, 48, and Dustin Parrie Jr, 20, both residents of Harvey, NOLA.com reported.
Who was Willis Thomas?
Deputies, dressed in civilian outfits, later arrived uninformed at an apartment complex in the 2100 block of Manhattan Boulevard and came across the suspect walking to a nearby dumpster. “As they were approaching him, he took off running,” continued the sheriff’s office statement. "The suspect fired several shots at the deputies. Deputies returned fire, striking the suspect several times. The suspect was pronounced dead on the scene. His firearm was recovered.”
Authorities said that the deputy-involved shooting occurred at around 2.45 pm. The suspected gunman, 31-year-old Willis Thomas Jr, was later killed by authorities, Jefferson Parish Coroner Gerry Cvitanovich said Monday night. "They were all part of the same crew," said Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto, according to news station 4WWL. "So, he [the suspect] was targeting people on his crew."
Lopimnto said that the shooter was recently fired from his job and turned up at the shipyard unannounced before killing two employees. It is known if the confrontation took place before the shooting or the reason why the alleged gunman was fired from his employer.
Willis Thomas was picked up by his mother
The sheriff further reported that the mother of the suspect picked him up from near the shipyard and drove him to the apartment complex. However, she was unaware that her son was allegedly connected to the shooting.
FMT Shipyard and Repair released a statement after the incident. "A tragic shooting event occurred earlier this afternoon at the FMT Shipyard in Harvey, LA. The company understands that the shooting involving one shooter and two victims occurred today among contract workers at the facility. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families," the statement read.
