Hammond man arrested in Tangipahoa shootings

A Hammond man sought in Monday’s double shooting in Tangipahoa Parish has been arrested in Huntsville, Ala., the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office reported Thursday.

The Sheriff’s Office obtained arrest warrants for Brandon M. Francois, 18, on counts of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder in the shootings just east of the Livingston Parish boundary, Chief Criminal Deputy Dennis Pevey said.

Larry Smith, 21, of Hammond, died of a gunshot wound to the head. A 24-year-old man, who also was shot in the head, was admitted in critical condition to a Baton Rouge hospital, but has since stabilized, Pevey said.

Francois was taken into custody without incident Wednesday night, Pevey said.

The U.S. Marshals Service and the Huntsville Police Department assisted in the case, he said.