It was supposed to be a quiet Easter evening on Centanni Drive in St. Bernard Parish. Instead, it ended in violence that shattered a family. Authorities say 22-year-old Lee Collins III is responsible for the deaths of his own mother and grandmother after an argument inside their home turned deadly.
Investigators say the incident unfolded around 7:45 p.m. Sunday. What began as a domestic dispute quickly escalated into a physical confrontation. In the middle of that chaos, Collins allegedly pulled a gun and opened fire. His 55-year-old mother, Trenelle Collins, and 75-year-old grandmother, Mary Major, were both struck.
Emergency responders rushed the two women to a nearby hospital. Despite efforts to save them, both later died from their injuries. The loss has left neighbors stunned, describing the family as quiet and largely out of trouble.
Authorities say Collins did not stop there. His father was also inside the home at the time and was reportedly targeted, but the shots missed. That moment may have been the only thing preventing a third life from being lost that night.
After the shooting, Collins fled the scene. Investigators say he stole a truck from a nearby business and drove roughly 150 miles to Alabama. The sudden flight added urgency to the manhunt as law enforcement agencies worked across state lines.
In a twist that deepened the case, officials say Collins later sought mental health assistance. Staff at the facility became concerned and alerted authorities. That decision ultimately led to his arrest in Mobile on Monday evening.
Collins is now in custody, facing two counts of second-degree murder. He remains jailed in Alabama as officials prepare to extradite him back to Louisiana, where he is expected to stand trial.
For the community, the case is a painful reminder of how quickly domestic tensions can spiral out of control. Two generations lost in a single moment, leaving behind questions that may take years to fully answer.
