Two Arrested Suspected of Drive-By Shooting Following Verbal Altercation at Convenience Store

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Published January 23, 2023

Two Arrested Suspected of Drive-By Shooting Following Verbal Altercation at Convenience Store

Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana – Two people from Louisiana have been arrested suspected of a drive-by shooting incident in which a weapon was fired at a vehicle following a verbal altercation at a convenience store.

According to the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO), Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet announced the arrest of two people in connection with a drive-by shooting incident on Louisiana Highway 57, Grand Caillou Road. Zeth Michael Lodrigue, 33, of Dulac, Louisiana, and Nicole Leigh Babin, 34, of New Iberia, Louisiana, were both arrested in connection with the investigation for weapons-related charges.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division was called to the 7000 block of Grand Caillou Road shortly after 9 p.m. on January 19, 2023, in reference to a disturbance complaint involving a weapon. As Deputies arrived, the victims informed them that the alleged shooter’s identity was known to them and gave the name Zeth Michael Lodrigue.
According to additional information, the suspect was driving on Grand Caillou Road in a gold-colored vehicle when Lodrigue allegedly fired a weapon at their vehicle.

Deputies arrived at the 4800 block of Grand Caillou Road and saw two vehicles parked in a private driveway, one of which matched the description of the suspect vehicle. Deputies approached and found Zeth Michael Lodrigue in one of the vehicles, as well as Nicole Leigh Babin, who was arrested without incident.   As Deputies continued their investigation, they discovered a firearm outside the vehicle, but close to the vehicle occupied by Lodrigue. According to authorities, t he investigation led to a search of the vehicle in question, where additional evidence confirming that a weapon was recently fired was discovered.

After speaking with the victims, deputies discovered that their vehicle was being followed by Lodrigue and Babin as they drove south on Grand Caillou Road following a brief verbal altercation at a local convenience store. The victims confirmed that while driving, Lodrigue’s vehicle sped past them and fired a weapon at their vehicle, striking it. Several witnesses confirmed the disturbance at the local store, according to deputies. When deputies approached the victim’s vehicle, they discovered damage that indicated the vehicle had been hit by gunfire.

Deputies questioned Lodrigue, who admitted to having a weapon and firing it, but claimed he fired in the air to scare them. Babin was also interviewed, and he admitted to Lodrigue firing a weapon from the moving vehicle.

Zeth Michael Lodrigue and Nicole Leigh Babin were both arrested at the conclusion of the investigation on two counts of Assault by Drive-by Shooting. Nicole Leigh Babin was arrested in connection with this investigation on an additional charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Zeth Michael Lodrigue was arrested on additional arrest warrants from an earlier investigation.

Case unrelated. Lodrigue and Babin are still being held at the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex on no bond by local judges.

Sheriff Tim Soignet commends the TPSO Patrol Division for their outstanding work in this investigation. “Our agency expects a great deal of effort and dedication from our employees to the protection of the people of this great parish, and this is another example of how our Patrol Division answered the call,” Sheriff Soignet said. This was an extremely senseless incident, which could have led to a very tragic ending because of a minor argument. Our Patrol Division did an outstanding job in bringing this case to a safe resolution, and for that I am grateful.”

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.