Two people are now in custody in connection with the shooting of a Winn Parish juvenile in Natchez on Saturday evening according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

Xavier J. Wright, 17, of Glenmora, La. accompanied by his mother turned himself in to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives this morning (July 20) at approximately 11:00am.

Wright was charged with Attempted 2nd Degree Murder and transported to Ware Youth Center in Red River Parish pending a hearing in the Tenth Judicial District Court.

On Sunday morning July 19 at approximately 2:03am, Cynthia R. Jones, of Natchitoches was charged with Principle to Attempted 2nd Degree Murder after detectives contacted her and interviewed her at the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division.

Jones remains in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center awaiting bond.

On Saturday evening July 18 at approximately 5:53pm, NatCom 911 Center received a 911 call from a stranded motorist on La. Hwy 1 near Rapides Drive in Natchitoches reporting that he was transporting a male suffering from a gunshot wound to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center requesting assistance.

Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division, Natchitoches Police Department and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS responded to the scene.

Responding units arrived on the scene and learned that a 17-year-old Winn Parish juvenile was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the chest as a result of a shooting in the parking lot of Natchez Place Apartments, located in the 100 block of La. Hwy 119 in Natchez, La.

Deputies along with Sheriff Stuart Wright and detectives assigned to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene.

Detectives processed the crime scene, gathered evidence and while speaking with witnesses learned that a 2014-2016 black Toyota Camry passenger car was involved and fled the area shortly after the shooting.

A law enforcement message was issued to local and surrounding agencies to BOLO for the vehicle possibly traveling to the Rapides Parish area.

The victim was transported to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and later airlifted to LSU Health, Shreveport in serious condition.

As of today, the victim is listed in stable condition at LSU Health, Shreveport.

Throughout the evening and late into the night, detectives interviewed witnesses.

Detectives developed some leads and were able to contact one of the occupants of the Toyota Camry and had them report to the Criminal Investigations Division.

A search warrant signed by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge was issued for the vehicle.

As the investigation progressed, detectives developed sufficient evidence and probable cause to identify Xavier J. Wright as the alleged shooter in the shooting.

Detectives and other law enforcement agencies had been searching for Wright since developing him as a suspect Saturday night.

Sheriff Wright said that our detectives are still conducting interviews, preparing evidence for crime lab analysis and preparing the case for the district attorney’s office for prosecution. We are pleased that these arrests have been made, the facts and evidence will be provided during court proceedings”.