Suspects in killing of Louisiana maintenance man were on 'random shooting binge' before committing 'drive-by assassination'

Two Louisiana men have been taken into custody for what Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley has described as a "heinous drive-by assassination." 

The suspects, 23-year-old Tahj Matthews and 25-year-old Maurice Holmes, were arrested on April 11 for the murder of 66-year-old Lawrence Herr, reports local news.



According to Chief Conley, one of the suspects confessed to the crime, claiming that it was a random shooting spree and that they wanted to commit murder. However, detectives are investigating possible ulterior motives: "One of the suspects did say they were on a random shooting binge and wanted to commit a murder, we think there may be ulterior motives and that's what the detectives are investigating," Chief Conley said.

Herr was installing a mailbox outside a home on Georgetown Drive in Kenner when he was shot and killed. Police were able to identify the vehicle used in the shooting within three hours of the murder and made two arrests shortly thereafter.

Chief Conley praised the work of the detectives and police involved in the case, stating that this was a textbook example of crime apprehension. License plate reader cameras were instrumental in tracking the suspects' car, which was seen driving by Herr multiple times prior to the shooting.

"This was a textbook crime apprehension," Conley said. "I am proud of the work of our detectives and police who pieced together the evidence and followed its trail to take dangerous criminals off our streets."

"This was a heinous drive-by assassination of a kind, caring man who was helping others," said Conley. "We were determined to end the rage of these criminals before they could target anyone else. Let this serve as a message to anyone considering terrorizing this city or its people that the Kenner PD will be relentless in bringing criminals to justice."