Jermaine Riles, a 49-year-old African American man, was a familiar and friendly face in his New Iberia, Louisiana community. Known as a hardworking employee at the local Wal-Mart since 2010, he was a loving father and grandfather who took great pride in providing for his family. Those who knew him recalled his cheerful greetings, with one resident sharing that he 'made it a point to say good morning every morning he saw me.'
His life, however, was violently cut short on December 26, 2022, in a tragedy that shook his neighborhood.
On that Monday, in the 100-block of Dark Alley, Jermaine Riles was shot. Bystanders at the scene rushed him to a local hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced deceased. The New Iberia Police Department quickly launched an investigation into what they termed a 'domestic-related homicide.' Their investigation led them to identify a suspect in the fatal shooting.
Detectives secured arrest warrants for 36-year-old Stevie Jay Vital, who has a history of violent offenses. The warrants were for charges of second-degree murder, illegal use of firearms, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Police cautioned the public that Vital should be considered armed and dangerous. While the incident was described as domestic- in nature, the specific relationship between Vital and Riles was not publicly disclosed.
Following a period on the run, Stevie Jay Vital, then 38, was taken into custody. He was booked into the Iberia Parish jail, facing the charges outlined in the arrest warrants related to the death of Jermaine Riles.
