Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives are currently investigating a double homicide, which occurred in the rural northeast portion of the parish late in the evening of Jan. 4. Working throughout Friday night and Saturday morning, deputies and detectives continue their investigation in the details and the cause of the murders.

Responding to a 911 call, Washington Parish deputies arrived at the scene on Moses Road near the Village of Varnado and discovered the bodies of two males: Brandon Alexander and Denzell Wise. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. No other persons were present. Bodies of both victims were turned over to the Washington Parish Coroner’s Office.

Detectives were summoned to the scene and began an immediate investigation. Shortly thereafter, two males presented themselves to Washington Parish hospitals for gunshot wounds. Due to the nature of their injuries, each was transported to a larger medical facility. Each is now in the hospital under 24-hour guard. The names of the suspects and the location of the hospitals are withheld due to the ongoing investigation.

Detectives also identified two other suspects. One was taken into custody early in the morning of Jan. 5, while the other surrendered himself to the Sheriff’s Office shortly before noon the same day. Each is currently being held in the Washington Parish Jail as material witnesses to the double homicide. Names of the other two suspects are withheld due to the ongoing investigation.

Washington Parish Sheriff Randy “Country” Seal, who was at the murder scene throughout the night, along with Chief Deputy Mike Haley, Deputy Chief Olander Smith and Deputy Chief Shannon Lyons, said, “Once we received the 911 call, our deputies and detectives responded quickly. I am so pleased they were able to identify suspects so quickly. That in itself is a testament to their professionalism and dedication to the citizens of our parish.”

Continuing, Seal said, “These are the first homicides in Washington Parish this year and I pray they are the last. Chief Haley and Chief Smith are working with our detectives this morning to help unravel the details of this tragic event and we fully intend to present our suspects to the District Attorney for prosecution very soon.”

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