Gonzales man booked for shooting Spillway anglers

MARK GAUTHREAU, 44, Gonzales

Mark Gauthreau, 44, of 42298 N. Wood St., Gonzales, was arrested and charged with two counts of first degree attempted murder and hate crimes on Aug. 21 after he allegedly shot and wounded two Hispanic men from Texas.

The incident occurred in the spillway while the two men were fishing.  The two Hispanic men did not know each other but had gotten acquainted while fishing.

The gun toting subject apparently locked his keys in his truck.  Two other individuals (not the Hispanic men) approached the gunman and offered their assistance in retrieving the subject’s keys from his vehicle.  The subject declined their offer to assist but stated “I am about to kill me some mexicans.”  The subject then broke his vehicle window and retrieved his keys.

The gunman allegedly pulled up in a pick-up truck and opened fire on the two men.   Both men sustained gun shot wounds to their legs.  Gauthreau fled the scene.  Several hours later the subject was apprehended and arrested.

“The victims in this case were minding their own business.  The gunman has a long history of DUI arrests and possession of an illegal weapon.  This was an unprovoked attack.  It was witnessed by at least two other individuals,” said Sheriff Greg Champagne of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office. 

Both victims were transported to St. Charles Parish Hospital for their injuries.  First degree attempted murder carries up to 50 years in prison. 

Gauthreau’s bond was set at $20,000 by Judge Kirk Granier.