Jennings police search for stabbing suspect

Published 8:04 am Wednesday, July 13, 2022

The search is continuing for a suspect who stabbed and injured a Jennings man Sunday during a confrontation between the two men at a local residence.

The suspect, identified as Derrick James Lawrence, 35, of Welsh, fled the scene on foot after he stabbed the victim during a fight at a residence in the 600 block of West Nezpique Street around 10:40 p.m. Sunday.

“The subjects came to be in contact with each other and an argument ensued which resulted in a fistic encounter,” Police Chief Danny Semmes said. “During that fistic encounter the suspect pulled a knife and stabbed the victim under the ribs in the abdomen. He immediately fled the scene.”

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Investigators quickly obtained an arrest warrant for Lawrence for attempted second-degree murder after the victim and several witnesses identified him as the suspect.

Lawrence is a white male. He is 6-foot-10-inches tall and weighs 170 pounds.

The victim, who has been identified as Justin Matta, 30, of Jennings was airlifted to a trauma center in Lafayette where he remains in stable condition.

“Through investigative means we have been trying to track the whereabouts of the suspect, Mr. Lawrence,” Semmes said Tuesday.

Anyone with information on Lawrence’s whereabouts is asked to the Jennings Police Department’s anonymous tip line at 337-275-9002.

The Welsh Police Department, Crowley Police Department and Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office are assisting in the search for the suspect.