Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives have arrested a north Natchitoches Parish man in connection with a shooting that left one man dead near Chestnut on Monday evening according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones Jr.

On Monday evening August 12 at approximately 8:17pm, NATCOM 911 Center received 911 reports of a shooting in the 800 block of Weaver Cemetery Road near Chestnut in north Natchitoches Parish.

Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division and Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office responded to the scene arriving in 19 minutes.

Deputies discovered a male identified as 24-year-old Dalton Edward McQuillin lying in the front yard of a residence with life threatening injuries suffering from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives, Life Air and Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington responded to the active crime scene.

McQuillin was pronounced dead at the scene by Natchitoches Parish Deputy Asst. Coroner, Steve Clanton.

While at the scene, deputies also arrested Robert Eugene Vascocu, 66, of the 900 block of Weaver Cemetery Road, Chestnut, La.

Vascocu was transported to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division, interviewed by detectives, then booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with 1-count of Second Degree Murder.

No bond has been set.

Chief of Investigations Detective Greg Dunn said the shooting was the result of an ongoing child custody matter involving the victim and the suspect’s granddaughter.

Detectives with the assistance of patrol deputies and the district attorney’s office worked until 4:00am this morning processing the crime scene, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.

The suspected murder weapon has been recovered.

The body is being sent for an autopsy to determine the manner of death.

Sheriff Jones stated this is a very unfortunate incident; we extend our thanks to Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington who assisted and responds to all major felony cases in our parish.

The investigation is continuing.

If you have any information contact Detectives Darrel Winder or Victor Kay at 318-357-7830.

NPSO Release