Story highlights Louisiana man could face death penalty in connection with two slayings

Investigators matched the alleged shooter's DNA to shell casings, police said

(CNN) A 23-year-old Louisiana man was charged with murder Tuesday after police matched his DNA to shell casings found at the scene of a pair of homicides, authorities said.

Kenneth Gleason, 23, was charged in connection with two killings that happened last week -- and with attempted murder in a separate incident.

The victims in the fatal shootings, 49-year-old Donald Smart and 59-year-old Bruce Cofield, were shot to death two days and a couple of miles apart, authorities said.

Investigators were able to match the suspect's DNA to shell casings recovered at two shooting scenes, authorities said.

The evidence was matched to Gleason while he was being held on charges related to the theft of a book, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore III told reporters.

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