Jakari Edwards

Jakari Edwards

A young Marrero father was fatally shot last month by a pair of brothers while he was walking home, according to authorities.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office investigators still aren't certain why 20-year-old Jakari Edwards was targeted. But they've identified Markeith and Terrell Glapion, both of Harvey, as his killers.

The brothers, who were arrested and booked with second-degree murder, appeared in Jefferson Parish Magistrate Court on Friday morning for a preliminary hearing in the homicide case.

Detective Anthony Buttone took the witness stand to testify about the investigation into the death.

Edwards was walking on Mt. Kennedy Drive toward his residence on the evening of Dec. 2 when several men approached, including Markeith Glapion, 26, and Terrell Glapion, 28.

"Terrell grabbed the victim while Markeith produced a firearm, and the shooting began," Buttone said.

Markeith Glapion was armed with a .223-caliber rifle while Terrell Glapion had a handgun, authorities said. Both are accused of shooting Edwards multiple times.

Edwards, who was the father of a 4-month-old son, was pronounced dead at the scene. He died before learning that his girlfriend was expecting another baby, relatives said.

A witness identified the Glapion brothers as suspects in the case, according to Buttone. Cellphone data shows Terrell Glapion was at the scene of the homicide before heading to a residence in Harvey, where his vehicle was later found abandoned, Buttone said.

They were arrested several days later in Baker, La., just north of Baton Rouge, and transported back to Jefferson Parish on Dec. 13.

Buttone described Edwards and the Glapion brothers as acquaintances who knew one another through other friends. A check of the victim’s cellphone provided no evidence of any type of prior altercation or argument, Buttone testified.

Other than rumors, investigators haven't uncovered a solid motive for Edwards' murder, he said.

In addition to murder, Markeith and Terrell Glapion were booked with obstruction of justice and being convicted felons in possession of firearms.

Jefferson Parish Criminal Commissioner Paul Schneider ruled there was probable cause to continue holding them at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on the charges.

Bail for Markeith Glapion was set at $700,000 while his brother's bail is $710,000.

Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@theadvocate.com or follow her on Twitter, @MichelleHunter.