The family of Sean Barrette, the 22-year-old man accused in three killings in Metairie, linked to a murder in New Orleans, and suspected in several more shooting incidents, released a statement today expressing their sorrow at what happened.
"To the families and friends who have been devastated by this senseless tragedy, we are so deeply sorry for your loss," the statement begins. "We mourn for you and the beautiful lives taken. We understand there are no words that can ease or take away your pain. We only hope you can one day find peace. We ask everyone to keep all the families who have been devastated in your prayers."
In the hours since Barrette's arrest, authorities linked more shootings to the suspect.
Barrett is charged with murdering three people in shootings on West Metairie Avenue and one victim in New Orleans East. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says the bullets in three more shootings match too.
"We had a female driving on I-10 around Bonnabel, who's vehicle was shot up," the sheriff told WWL's Newell Normand. "She actually thought it was hail hitting her vehicle and continued to just drive to her house."
He says when she got home, she realized she had bullet holes in her vehicle.
Lopinto added that fortunately that woman was not injured when Barrette riddled her car with bullets on June 17th, just hours before the first killing in Metairie.
There was also a similar case in Kenner.
Kenner Police Lt. Michael Cunningham says a driver was on I-10 and noticed another vehicle following them.
"As they exited off the interstate onto Loyola, right at the light, the vehicle pulled along side of them and fired several shots at them."
No one was injured.
Cunningham says the bullets used in that June 5th case also matched the same gun used in the murders.
It was the next day that Barrette allegedly shot and killed a man in New Orleans East.
Investigators say the same gun was allegedly used in another shooting in New Orleans where shots were fired, but no one was hit.
Police continue looking at additional cases to see if there are more linked to Barrette.
Recap of all of the crimes JPSO says are linked to Barrette:
- June 5th shooting... he allegedly shot up a vehicle he had chased off the I-10 onto Loyola Avenue in Kenner. No one was injured.
- June 5th shooting... he allegedly fired a weapon in New Orleans, No one was injured.
- June 6th murder... he allegedly shot and killed a man in New Orleans East.
- June 17th shooting... he allegedly riddled a vehicle with bullets on I-10 at Bonnabel. No one was injured.
- June 17th murder... he allegedly murdered a man in on West Metairie Avenue in Metairie.
- June 18th Two murders... he allegedly gunned down two men in a vehicle on West Metairie Avenue in Metairie, killing them both.
New Orleans police confirm they are looking at Barrette for two crimes. They issued the following:
- Sean Barrette has been named a person of interest in a homicide that occurred on June 6, 2019 near the intersection of Marquis Street and Hayne Blvd in the Seventh District.
- Barrette is also considered a person of interest in the illegal discharge of a firearm that occurred on June 5 in the 6200 block of Hayne Blvd, also in the Seventh District.
