ST. CHARLES, La. – A St. Rose homeowner shot two men with a shotgun trying to burglarize his home, resulting in the death of one man and injuring the second, according to St. Charles Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives ruled the shooting a justifiable homicide and sent the information to the District Attorney's Office.
Michael Cockerham, 21, of St. Rose, was pronounced dead on the scene by the coroner, police said, after he was shot by a homeowner in the 300 block of 1st Street around 1 a.m. Monday.
“Cockerham allegedly kicked down the victim’s rear door to his residence while armed with a semi automatic hand gun,” said spokesman Capt. Pat Yoes.
The homeowner reportedly saw a “laser light” from a weapon shine through the entrance; he then fired a single shot, hitting Cockerham, police said.
Cockerham was found in the yard of a nearby neighbor, police said. He had been shot once in the abdomen. The shooting is under investigation by the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office, and no charges have been filed against the homeowner, police said.
Police later announced the arrest of a second man in connection with burglary.
Aaron Vinnett, 20, of St. Rose, was arrested Tuesday and charged with second-degree murder during a crime and aggravated burglary, said Yoes.
Vinnett allegedly helped Cockerham in the burglary and “was also struck by pellets fired from the shotgun causing a small puncture wound in the middle of his chest,” said Yoes.
Vinnett is being held on a $350,000 bond.
