[StBernard] Chance Home Depot meeting sparks Chalmette shooting

[Westley Annis]

Chance Home Depot meeting sparks Chalmette shooting
by The Times-Picayune 
Thursday February 05, 2009, 1:56 PM

Photo: http://adjix.com/523g

The shooting apparently stemmed from a chance meeting inside the Home Depot
store on West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. 

Neither victim was seriously injured, the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's
Office said. 

The couple, who are from El Salvador but live in Chalmette, told deputies
that they saw a man they identified as Jose "Alex'' Rojas in the Home Depot.
They said that the husband knew Rojas from El Salvador, where the husband
claimed Rojas has murdered his brother 15 years ago. 

Nothing happened during the meeting inside the store, but as the couple
pulled out of the parking lot onto West Judge Perez Drive, a Chevrolet
Blazer with Rojas inside pulled alongside the victims. Someone began firing
from inside the Blazer, authorities said. 

A bullet grazed the husband on the jaw; another bullet grazed his wife in
the hand, the Sheriff's Office said. 

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Rojas is asked to call the St.
Bernard Sheriff's Office at 504.271.2501. 

The Sheriff's Office said it was obtaining a warrant accusing Rojas of
attempted murder.

The Sheriff's Office said Rojas' last known local address was in eastern New
Orleans, but that deputies who went to the residence could not find him. His
landlord said Rojas had moved out.

Deputies said Rojas might be traveling in a white, 1994 Honda Civic, with
Louisiana license plate RWZ253.