Previous Abbeville Robbery now a Homicide

The Abbeville Police Department began investigating a complaint from Abbeville General Hospital that Rickey Picard Jr. was receiving medical treatment due to a recent beating. As a result of the injuries he sustained during the beating and what was later determined to be a robbery also, Rickey Picard Jr. was transported to Lafayette General Medical Center for further medical treatment.

Over the period of the last month, APD arrested, and charged, the following suspects for their involvement in the beating and robbery of Rickey Picard Jr.

1. John Hebert III, 2nd Degree Robbery & Att. 1st Degree Murder
2. Preston Toussaint, 2nd Degree Robbery
3. Francis Briggs, 2nd Degree Robbery
4. Colt Turner, 2nd Degree Robbery
5. A fifth suspect has been identified but his name is being withheld due to his age. Charges against the juvenile are still pending.

On Friday, APD was notified that Rickey Picard Jr. succumbed to his injuries. Rickey Picard Jr had been a patient at Lafayette General Medical Center since 4/7/15. APD has contacted the District Attorney’s Office in reference to upgrading the charges on all the suspects involved, to 1st Degree Murder.

All of the suspects, with the exception of the juvenile, are currently incarcerated for the aforementioned charges. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.