A Purvis, Mississippi man is facing charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and auto theft after a confrontation with his parents over fast food turned fatal.
According to Jefferson Parish authorities, Ronald Pritchett, 32, began arguing with his mother and father at their Gretna, Louisiana home Wednesday after discovering they had not bought him any food. He followed them upstairs with a knife, and when he realized they went into a room and locked the door, he kicked the door in and stabbed them both.
Pritchett’s 58-year-old father was taken to Ochsner Hospital Westbank, but died from stab wounds to the chest. Although the 57-year-old mother was repeatedly stabbed in the head by her son, she was transported to University Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.
The suspect had fled to a relative’s house in his father’s tan 1997 Chevrolet Suburban, and after a short stand-off with authorities involving police dogs Thursday, he was arrested and booked in Lamar County Jail.
He suffered minor injuries from his encounter with police, but was treated at the scene.
According to Fox 8, Pritchett is being held without bond.
Reginald McCue, a neighbor of the Pritchett parents, said the couple were very nice people, the New Orleans Advocate reported.
“When I saw it in the news, it seemed like a family problem. If it’s a family problem, then I won’t blame it on the neighborhood,” he told reporters.
Diane McCue said this was not the first time an altercation occurred at the Pritchetts’ home.
“I did see a couple of things before, with the son. Loud stuff. People flying out in their cars,” she said. “I can’t imagine a kid with that much anger.”
