A Eunice man was shot to death Sunday afternoon when he crossed the street to check on his mother after hearing yelling between her and his step-father.

According to police, Geary Doucet, 32, was killed by Richard Kresta, 51, of 461 Acadia when they got into an argument in front of the house.

The incident happened about 2:30 p.m.

Both the suspect and the victim had recent police records.

Kresta was arrested about a year ago and charged with domestic abuse battery.

Doucet was arrested on Feb. 20 and April 12 of this year on charges of illegal possession of stolen things and on May 28 last year, in Evangeline Parish, on six felony drug charges.

Reports indicate Doucet’s wife, Vivian, and children were watching as Kresta allegedly went into the house, got a gun, came out and shot five to six times, striking Doucet in the chest.

Kresta then jumped into his pickup truck and fled.

Records indicate that the suspect turned himself in at the police station about a half hour later, telling officers he had thrown the weapon out of the truck as he fled.

About 4:30 p.m. the weapon was recovered by searching officers near a lot on College Road.

Kresta was booked on a second-degree murder charge, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities and possession of or dealing in firearms with obliterated number.