Des Allemands man booked with attempted second degree murder

A 55-year-old Des Allemands man has been arrested and charged with attempted second degree murder after authorities say that he shot at a man with a 12-gauge shotgun after an argument.

James Howard, of 126 Mott Lane, was also charged with the illegal modification of a firearm after St. Charles Parish sheriff’s deputies say they discovered that the weapon allegedly used in the attack had a shaved barrel.

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Dwayne LaGrange said that Howard and the victim had gotten into an argument at Howard’s home on Friday. The victim walked away and was in a wooded area behind Howard’s house when he saw Howard loading a shotgun, he told authorities.

Howard fired at the man, and the victim was struck in the right eye with an unknown projectile, LaGrange said.

“Deputies saw a small bump near the man’s right eye and Howard admitted shooting at the victim,” LaGrange said.

The victim refused medical attention at the scene and Howard was arrested and booked at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center.