Lake Charles police are investigating an early morning Saturday homicide in the 1500 block of O’Brien Street.

Deputy Chief F. Fondel said officers were dispatched at about 5:51 a.m. Saturday in reference to an unresponsive man.

He said officers and Acadian Ambulance personnel arrived on scene and found a Black male subject who was pronounced deceased.

The investigation has been turned over to LCPD Detectives and the victim has been identified as 43-year-old Derrick James Thornton of Lake Charles. Detectives are treating the death as a homicide.

The investigation is in its early stages, Fondel said. Anyone with any information is asked to contact lead Detectives Sgt. John Russell or Sgt. Dustin Fontenot by calling (337) 491-1311.