Lafayette Police Arrest Man in Fatal Evangeline Thruway Shooting

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) — Lafayette Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a 53-year-old woman Monday morning.

According to LPD Sgt. Robin Green, the suspect is Challis Prejean, 23, of Lafayette, and was taken into custody without incident with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Task Force and the Special Investigations Unit. Prejean was booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, illegal discharge of weapons, and felon in possession of a firearm.

The shooting occurred at approximately 6:36 a.m. Monday in the 1300 block of NE Evangeline Thruway. Lafayette Police identified the deceased victim as Gerardette Burke, 53, of Lafayette.

What Lafayette Residents Need to Know

According to investigators, Prejean began firing at a male victim when Burke, who was in the immediate vicinity, was also struck by gunfire. Burke was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. The male victim remains in stable condition.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Lafayette Police Department or Lafayette Crime Stoppers at 232-TIPS.

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