Staff report

Port Arthur police Thursday were investigating the shooting death of Floyd Dergent, 49, but said they had no viable suspects yet.

Police were considering this a case of murder, the 10th this year in the city. There were five homicides in all of 2017.

Police said in an issued statement they were called to the Prince Hall Village Apartments, 914 W. 14th St., at 10:22 p.m. Wednesday on a call about shots fired.

A patrol unit found the victim — he was known to police — who had sustained a gunshot wound to the upper body, but no suspects.

Detective Mike Hebert said EMS pronounced Dergent dead at the scene. He was found in a commons area.

Hebert said he was unsure if the victim lived at the apartments. He said police were “going through the process” of interviewing local people and getting information. He said they worked through the night. He said it was a “fluid case” and police are working it as a murder.

The apartments, part of a public housing complex, are located in the West Side of Port Arthur, and have been the site for
violent crimes in the past.

Police are seeking citizen help. People with information about the crime should call the station at 409-983-8600 or Crime Stoppers at 833-TIPS. A tip might pay up to $1,000 reward, police said.