Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced a third person wanted in connection with a shooting that occurred on October 31 in Marydale is now in custody. George Ward (age 28) of Thibodaux was arrested Monday on warrants for attempted murder and other charges. Ward’s sister, Chakkettia Ward (age 26) of Thibodaux was also charged with Harboring a Fugitive. Deondre Holmes (age 23) and Jovonta Johnson (age 24), both of Thibodaux, were previously arrested in the attempted murder case.
Through investigation, detectives learned that on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 31, 2017, George and Chekkettia Ward were sitting in a gray sedan parked in the 400 block of Carol Street. Holmes and Johnson, traveling in a white sedan, approached from the rear. Shots were reportedly fired by occupants of both vehicles. One of the rounds struck Chekkettia Ward in the thigh, and one round struck Johnson in the head. Both were both treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital. Detectives obtained arrest warrants for Holmes, Johnson, and George Ward. Holmes and Johnson were arrested the day after the incident and booked with Attempted Second Degree Murder. Both remain in jail.
The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office had been working with the U.S. Marshals Task Force to locate George Ward. On Monday, April 30, 2018, deputies obtained information about his possible location at a residence on Victory Street in Thibodaux. LPSO deputies and officers from the Thibodaux Police Department joined members of the U.S. Marshals Task Force and proceeded to the location. Upon arrival, deputies announced their presence, and Chakkettia Ward exited the residence. Once outside, she denied that George Ward was inside the residence multiple times, and she also began causing a disturbance. An LPSO K-9 unit entered the residence and discovered George Ward hiding under a bed. Deputies later found a handgun, suspected marijuana and Xanax pills, and drug paraphernalia, all of which was determined to belong to George Ward.
George Ward was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux on the aforementioned warrant for Attempted Second Degree Murder. He was additionally charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Xanax and Marijuana, as well as Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Illegal Carrying of a Weapon in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was also found to have an outstanding warrant for Contempt of Court. His bond is set at $242,000.
Chekkettia Ward was charged with Accessory After the Fact (Harboring a Fugitive). She was booked into jail and released Monday afternoon after posting $10,000 bond.
