In the early hours of May 15, 2024, the quiet of Boutte, Louisiana, was shattered by the sounds of breaking glass and gunfire. Just before 1:00 a.m., St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a disturbance call in the vicinity of Old Spanish Trail and Billings Lane. Upon their arrival, they were met by 50-year-old L.J. McCoy, Jr., who directed them to a woman who had been shot.
That woman was his longtime girlfriend, 38-year-old Ashley Nicole Thomas, an African American female.
Deputies found Ms. Thomas with a fatal gunshot wound. Based on the evidence at the scene, investigators quickly developed probable cause to believe that McCoy was responsible for her death. He was arrested at the scene without incident.
L.J. McCoy, Jr. was subsequently charged with the second-degree murder of Ashley Nicole Thomas. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting is ongoing. All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
