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Three juvenile suspects were arrested Friday in connection with the murder of a 19-year-old Bogalusa man, according to Maj. Wendell O’Berry of the Bogalusa Police Department

On Tuesday, Feb. 9, BPD officers were dispatched to Our Lady of the Angels Hospital in reference to a gunshot victim, O’Berry said. Upon arrival, officers learned that a 19-year-old man, identified as Larmond Godbolt of Bogalusa, had been brought to the emergency room with a gunshot wound, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital. O’Berry said that officers further learned that the shooting had taken place in the 1800 block of Lasley Street in Bogalusa.

Officers and detectives responded to the scene and an investigation was begun. On Thursday, detectives identified three male juveniles as being involved in the murder, O’Berry said.

“The three suspects are reputed to be members of the YBF street gang, out of Illinois,” O’Berry said. “One of the gang members has ties to Bogalusa. The three juveniles are 15, 16, and 17 years old. Investigators believe armed robbery was the motive.”

Arrest warrants were obtained on all three juveniles for principal to first-degree murder, armed robbery, armed robbery with a gun, and illegal use of dangerous weapons.

On Friday, detectives tracked the juveniles with several other subjects to a location in Slidell, O’Berry said. BPD detectives, assisted by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana State Police, apprehended the three suspects without incident at a Slidell business. Three handguns were also seized during the arrest, O’Berry said.

All three suspects were arrested as fugitives and booked at the St. Tammany Parish Jail, then transported to the Bogalusa City Jail and booked on the aforementioned charges.

“The diligent and exhaustive work by our Detectives Division led to a quick apprehension of these three suspects,” O’Berry said. “They are to be commended for their work on the case.”

Due to the age of the suspects, their names are not being released at this time. The investigation is ongoing.