St. Martinville Shooting Victim Identified, Suspect Arrested

The victim of a fatal shooting that occurred near St. Martinville High School on Friday night, just before the school’s homecoming football game, has been identified as 24-year-old Deion-Dre Benjamin, a resident of St. Martinville. The tragic incident, which unfolded shortly before the highly anticipated game, has left the local community in mourning. Benjamin’s family confirmed his identity on Saturday as they grieve the loss of a young man with a promising future.

The St. Martinville Police Department has arrested 22-year-old Zackyric Gardner, also from St. Martinville, in connection with the shooting. Gardner was apprehended in Texas and now faces a second-degree murder charge. According to Police Chief Ricky Martin, Gardner was a passenger in a vehicle along with two other individuals when he was taken into custody by authorities. It is unclear if the others in the vehicle were involved in the crime, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The shooting, which occurred near the high school just before the homecoming football game, shocked students, parents, and staff attending the event. The mood quickly shifted from excitement for the game to concern and fear as news of the nearby shooting spread. Although the incident did not happen on school grounds, it cast a dark shadow over what was supposed to be a celebratory evening for the St. Martinville community.

Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the shooting, and it is unclear if Benjamin and Gardner were known to each other. The police are continuing to investigate the events leading up to the fatal shooting and are working to gather additional evidence. Law enforcement officials have suggested that more arrests may be forthcoming as they seek to determine if others were involved in planning or executing the crime.

The community is reeling from the loss of Benjamin, with many expressing their sorrow and frustration over the violence that claimed his life. Friends and family describe him as a kind and caring individual, and they are seeking justice for his untimely death. A vigil in Benjamin’s memory is being planned by loved ones as they mourn his passing and call for an end to the violence.

As the investigation progresses, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The St. Martinville Police Department continues to actively pursue leads and has vowed to bring those responsible to justice. The community remains united in their grief, hoping for answers and resolution in the aftermath of this tragic event.