UPDATE: Raceland Man Arrested for First Degree Murder in Double Homicide in Raceland

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced an arrest has been made in the shooting deaths of two young women this past weekend. Cordale Richard, 28, of Raceland faces several charges including two counts of First Degree Murder in the shooting deaths of 21-year-old Aliza Gabriel and 20-year-old Tanasa Francis.

The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call at 12:14 a.m. on June 14, 2020, about a disturbance involving a large gathering of people at a party in the area of St. Louis Street in Raceland. Shortly after deputies arrived, they heard several shots fired. Gabriel and Francis, who were innocent bystanders, were shot in the incident. Deputies and other bystanders assisted in performing CPR while waiting on an ambulance to arrive, but both women were pronounced dead at the scene.

Through investigation, detectives learned that prior to the shooting, a fight had occurred at the party. During the fight, Richard brandished a glass bottle and struck another man in the head. Investigators also learned that after deputies had arrived at the scene, Richard allegedly fired several shots into the crowd striking Gabriel and Francis resulting in their deaths.

On Wednesday, June 17, detectives obtained warrants for Richard’s arrest and a search warrant for his residence. Due to the nature of the investigation and the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the Lafourche Parish Interagency Crisis Management Unit was assembled on Wednesday afternoon and proceeded to Richard’s residence on St. Louis Street in Raceland. The unit arrived at the residence and Richard was immediately taken into custody without incident.

During questioning, Richard confessed to having committed the shooting. He was transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux where he was booked on warrants for two counts of First Degree Murder, Aggravated Battery, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. He is being held without bail.

Cordale Richard
Cordale Richard
Aliza Gabriel
Aliza Gabriel (VICTIM)
Tanasa Francis
Tanasa Francis (VICTIM)
UPDATE: Raceland Man Arrested for First Degree Murder in Double Homicide in Raceland