Torrence Harmon, 19, was arrested around 1:30 p.m. Saturday near Jeanerette, just hours after he allegedly shot his family members with a 20-gauge pump-action shotgun, according to Baldwin Police Chief Gerald Minor.
"It happened around 7:30 (a.m.)," Minor said. "We received a call about gunshots on Baptiste Street."
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"We had Acadian Ambulance standing by and, after we cleared the house, that's when we found the victims," the chief said.
Minor said Joyce Harmon, 45, was found on the kitchen floor.
"She was still alive when we found her. She managed to tell us that her son had also been shot," Minor said. "We found him in one of the front rooms in the house. He was unresponsive.""
Minor said Mrs. Harmon was rushed to Franklin Foundation Hospital where attempts were made to stabilize her. She died en route to a hospital in New Orleans.
Clarence Harmon, 20, was pronounced dead at the scene by an official with the St. Mary Parish Coroner's Office.
The manhunt for the younger Harmon included personnel from the Baldwin Police Department, the St. Mary Sheriff's Office and the Chitimacha Police Department.
Iberia Parish Sheriff Sid Hebert said personnel from his office became involved when deputies received a call that Harmon had been scene hitch-hiking along La. 182.
"We picked him up between New Iberia and Jeanerette," Hebert said.
The Iberia Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Jeanerette Police department in making the arrest.
Harmon was booked into the Iberia Parish Jail and transferred to Baldwin.
No motive was given in the shooting.
"He didn't really have a lot to say," Minor said. "He gave us a statement that he did it, but as for a reason, he didn't say. We still have a lot of investigating to at this point but as for the arrest and knowing who did it, that part's over."
If convicted, Harmon could be sentenced to death by lethal injection or life in prison without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence on each count.
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