Update: The search for Tyla Meche, 34, of Church Point, who has been identified as being in the vehicle when Briscoe was shot has been found.
According to Acadia Parish Sheriff K.P. Gibson, "Tyla Meche who we have been searching for in a wooded / swampy area in the Branch Community has been located and is alive. We received information on her whereabouts within the last 30 minutes and deputies were able to locate her at a residence on the Church Point Highway just north of Branch where she was hiding."
"I want the thank America's Cajun Navy and our deputies for the efforts in searching the wooded areas looking for Meche. They have all worked hard to find Meche. We received information of her being alive and in the area at a residence. Deputies located Meche and have arrested her in connection with Sunday's murder investigation," said Gibson.
The gunshot victim at Branch has been identified as Matthew Mark Briscoe, 32 of Church Point, according to a news release from Acadia Parish Sheriff K.P. Gibson.
A search continued for Tyla Meche, 34 of Church Point, who has been identified as being in the vehicle when Briscoe was shot.
“The focus of our investigation is to locate Tyla Meche. Our goal is to locate her safely. We ask if anyone has been in contact with her since Sunday, to call investigators at 788-8721 or 788-8700,” Gibson said.
Another person in the vehicle, Kervee Woodard, 32 of Church Point was taken into custody shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday, Gibson said.
Woodard has been charged with second-degree murder, he said.
Gibson reported, “Thus far the investigation has determined that several people were traveling in a vehicle in the Branch area. During an argument, one occupant shot another occupant. The victim died from a single gunshot wound.
“The suspects then removed the deceased from the vehicle and fled the area.
“Upon deputies locating the deceased and learning of the occurrence, the suspect vehicle was located. The suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled into a wooded / swampy area of land just west of Branch off of Highway 365.”
Gibson said, “This investigation leads us to believe that Tyla Meche may have entered the same wooded area that Kervee Woodard did as they were fleeing deputies. Though it is not confirmed that Tyla was with Woodard at the time he entered the wooded area, we are focused on searching this area.”
A Nixle alert was sent out as deputies went door-to-door in an attempt to notify residents for their safety as well as to search properties for the suspects, Gibson said.
Woodard was located and taken into custody without incident in this wooded area, Gibson said.
“We will be working with America’s Cajun Navy for the use of their manpower and equipment to search this area. This location is swampy wetlands and is very difficult to operate within. We appreciate their support. We want to make the residents in the Branch area aware of what we are doing and ask that you allow APSO and America’s Cajun Navy the opportunity to focus on this task. We will be in this area for the next several days,” he said.