Four Dead In Shotgun Rampage

"HOUMA, LA — Police believe Houma resident Ben Freeman began his Thursday shooting spree by strangling his wife at their home [on Louis Drive]in Houma.

"Autopsy results indicated Denise Taylor Freeman of Houma died from asphyxiation and drowning. Her body was found in a bathtub inside the home late Thursday night. Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said evidence points to Freeman as the killer and they believe Denise was his first victim.

"After killing his current wife, police believe Freeman then went to the Lockport home of Lafourche Parish Councilman Phillip Gouaux. Freeman was divorced from Gouaux's daughter Jeanne, who was not at the home.

"Once inside, police believe the shotgun-wielding gunman shot Phillip Gouaux in the throat, killed Gouaux's wife and shot his other daughter Andrea.

"The councilman was able to make the initial 911 call before he was rushed with Andrea to University Hospital in New Orleans. They are listed in critical, but stable condition.

"Immediately after, Freeman drove some 15 miles north to Raceland and the home of Bourgeois on the 2900 block of La. 308. Bourgeois was the CEO of St. Anne General Hospital since 1988 where Freeman worked as a registered nurse before being terminated in 2011, according to Webre.

"Inside the Bourgeois residence, police said Freeman killed Bourgeois with a close range shotgun blast. Bourgeois's wife Ann was also shot in the leg and is listed in stable condition.

"Parked along U.S. 90 sometime before 10:20 p.m., Freeman shot himself in the head with the same shotgun used in the slayings, police said.

"Court records illustrated a fractured relationship between Freeman and his ex-wife that she feared would turn violent."

From wwltv.com...