Morgan City man faces first-degree murder charge

After the victim in a Sunday morning shooting died, the suspect in the crime faces a first-degree murder charge, Morgan City police said Monday.
Geondre Jamal Thomas, 29, 11th Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 4:40 p.m. Sunday on the first-degree murder charge and charges of armed robbery, armed robbery with a firearm, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana and resisting an officer.
Officers with the Morgan City Police Department responded Sunday morning to the area of Egle Street after an armed robbery report, the Police Department said.
Officers arrived and located a victim who had been robbed at gunpoint. Officers also located another victim, separate from the initial complaint, in the same area that had suffered gunshot wounds. That male victim was transported to an out of area hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators with the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division responded. During the course of the investigation, Thomas was developed as a suspect in the armed robbery. Thomas was also found to be a convicted felon, which prohibits him from possessing a firearm. Arrest warrants were obtained for Thomas’ arrest.
About 4:30 p.m. Sunday, investigators executed a search warrant in the area of Orange Street. Thomas fled on foot and was apprehended after a short foot chase.
Thomas was found to be in possession of a firearm and suspected marijuana. Evidence was uncovered through the course of the investigation linking Thomas to the homicide, the Police Department said. The victim’s name is being withheld pending next of kin notifications.
Thomas was arrested and transported to the Morgan City Jail, where he was booked and incarcerated. The investigation is still ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division at 985-380-4605.
In Louisiana, first-degree murder is a homicide committed with the intent to kill or cause serious bodily harm in the presence of a defined list of circumstances. This circumstances include the status of the victim — children under 12 or people over 65, for example — and the presence of another crime, including armed robbery.
After a conviction for first-degree murder, a trial jury decides whether the defendant will be executed or sentenced to life in prison without parole.