This afternoon, 55-year-old Joseph Gilchrist Sr. of Bayou L’Ourse, LA, pled guilty to Manslaughter. Gilchrist was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lana Chaney, and presiding over this matter is the Honorable Judge John Smith. This guilty plea was taken in connection with the 2023 shooting death of 40-year-old Antanacio Guerrero, also of Bayou L’Ourse. 

          On July 2, 2023, Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a Bayou L’Ourse residence in reference to a reported shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located Antanacio Guerrero who was deceased and appeared to have suffered from multiple gunshot wounds to his body. Detectives responded and began canvassing the crime scene along with conducting witness interviews. Detectives learned that Guerrero and another individual were visiting Gilchrist’s residence. During the visit, Gilchrist armed himself with a large caliber firearm and began questioning Guerrero. Shortly after, Gilchrist fired shots striking Guerrero multiple times. Gilchrist, who was still on the scene upon arrival of law enforcement, was arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center. 

          Upon entering a guilty plea to the above-mentioned charge, sentencing was deferred to a later date pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. Sentencing is tentatively set for July 13, 2026. Joseph Gilchrist Sr. faces up to 40 years in state prison.