Church Point, LA – A power outage in Church Point, Louisiana, may have played a significant role in the tragic shooting death of Eric St. Julien, which occurred just after midnight on January 28, 2025. The outage, which began with a crash and escalated overnight during repairs, created a dark and uncertain backdrop for the events that unfolded.

The Town of Church Point initially reported the power outage, which was caused by an accident on Main Street and Plaquemine. In a social media post, the town explained that more outages would follow as repair work progressed. The post included a map from Entergy, the local utility company, and estimated the restoration time to be 1 a.m. However, it was shortly after that time when St. Julien, 28, was fatally shot on North Kelley Street.

In the wake of the shooting, the Church Point Police Department launched a swift investigation into the murder, which eventually led to the arrest of Joseph Casey Wilridge Jr. The 30-year-old man was charged with second-degree murder and felon in possession of a firearm. Wilridge, a convicted felon with a long history of violent crimes, was on probation at the time of the shooting. Police revealed that Wilridge’s past offenses included attempted second-degree murder.

The investigation into St. Julien’s death remains ongoing, with authorities indicating that more arrests could follow as they continue to gather information. Church Point Police have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding the shooting or whether the power outage played a role in the incident.

The timing of the power outage, combined with the reported location of the shooting, has led to speculation about whether the outage and the darkness it created may have influenced the events. However, authorities have not confirmed any direct connection between the two.

St. Julien’s death has shocked the tight-knit community of Church Point, and locals are left grappling with the implications of the crime in the midst of an already challenging situation caused by the power disruptions.

As the investigation moves forward, residents are left hoping for justice and answers as police continue to piece together the details surrounding the slaying of Eric St. Julien.