Deputies in St. Bernard Parish responded to a violent domestic shooting on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, after receiving a 7:45 p.m. disturbance call from the 2200 block of Centanni Drive in Chalmette, Louisiana.
When officers arrived, they found two women suffering from gunshot wounds inside the home, and a third victim, the shooter’s father, wounded but alive. The scene showed signs of a struggle that had escalated rapidly before the gunfire erupted.
Authorities identified the suspect as 22‑year‑old Lee Collins III, who fled the home immediately after the shooting. Investigators learned that the violence began when Collins got into an argument with his mother that turned physical.
His grandmother attempted to intervene, but Collins left the room, retrieved a firearm, and returned to shoot both women at close range before firing at his father. The father survived, though officials have not disclosed the extent of his injuries.
The victims were identified as 55‑year‑old Trenelle Collins, the suspect’s mother, and 75‑year‑old Mary Major, his grandmother. Both women were transported to a nearby hospital, where they later died from their injuries. Deputies noted that the shooting occurred during what was supposed to be a family Easter gathering, leaving relatives devastated and the community shaken by the sudden loss of two family matriarchs.
Following the shooting, Collins fled the area in a stolen vehicle, prompting a multi‑state search. Authorities issued a BOLO alert and notified agencies across Louisiana and Mississippi. Investigators stated that Collins was last seen heading toward the Mississippi state line, and they believed he might attempt to hide with acquaintances or continue traveling north. The sheriff’s office urged the public not to approach him, describing him as armed and dangerous.
By Monday morning, the manhunt intensified as St. Bernard Parish Sheriff James Pohlmann held a press conference confirming that Collins remained at large. He emphasized that Collins would face two counts of second‑degree murder and additional charges for shooting at his father. Pohlmann also noted that it was unclear whether Collins realized he had missed his father when he fired the shot. The sheriff described the killings as a tragic escalation of a family dispute that turned deadly.
The following day, authorities confirmed that Collins had been located and arrested in Mobile, Alabama, ending the search. He was taken into custody without incident and awaited extradition back to Louisiana to face charges. The sheriff’s office stated that the investigation remained active as detectives continued gathering evidence and interviewing family members to understand what led to the deadly confrontation on Centanni Drive.