Arkansas Tourist Fatally Shot in Louisiana Day Before Birthday While Stopping Teen Carjacker From Driving Off With Wife: Cops

An 18-year-old suspect in Louisiana was apprehended after he fatally shot an Arkansas man attempting to stop him from stealing his car with his wife inside, authorities said.

Tangipahoa Parish deputies arrested 18-year-old Ladarrius Evans in connection with the deadly carjacking, WVUE reported.

Around 8 a.m. on May 6, deputies with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a shots-fired call at a Red Roof Plus hotel in Hammond. On the scene, they found Paul Holt, a 62-year-old tourist, suffering a gunshot wound to the chest.

According to the sheriff’s office, Holt and his wife were getting into their SUV when Evans, wearing a mask and armed with a gun, allegedly carjacked them.

During the incident, Holt’s wife was in the passenger seat and he was able to successfully stop the suspect from driving away with her, the sheriff's office said.

While saving his wife, Holt was shot and Evans fled in the couple’s vehicle, according to officials.

Holt was rushed to area hospital, where he died.

Later the day of the shooting, deputies located the couple’s stolen vehicle as well as Evans, who allegedly had in his possession some of the victims’ personal items as well as a ghost gun, authorities said.

According to WVUE, Holt was set to turn 63 today, and his wife were in Louisiana to celebrate his birthday.

Evans is being held at the Tangipahoa Parish jail on charges of first-degree murder, carjacking, possession of unidentifiable firearms, armed robbery with a firearm, and possession of a machine gun.