In a tragic turn of events on a Friday night in Gonzales, Louisiana, 17-year-old Mekhi Darville, a male student from St. Amant High School, was fatally shot. The incident, which occurred on November 11, 2022, at a Fuel Smart gas station on South Burnside Avenue, was the unfortunate culmination of a social media feud between two groups of juveniles.
Darville, who was not involved in the dispute, had been giving a ride to two of his friends after an East Ascension High football game when the confrontation took place.
According to police and his mother, Darville was an innocent victim who found himself in the middle of a dangerous situation. He was reportedly trying to act as a peacemaker between the feuding parties. Witnesses stated that he had gotten out of his car and urged the antagonists to put their guns down and fight 'the old-fashioned way' if they were intent on a physical altercation. In the course of his attempts to de-escalate the conflict, he was struck by a single bullet to the chest. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries en route. His mother described him as a loving and spirited individual who was simply trying to help two friends who were being bullied.
The investigation into Mekhi Darville's death led to the arrest of three individuals. Two juveniles were taken into custody, and 18-year-old Jamal 'Mal' Holloway was apprehended on November 25, 2022. Holloway was subsequently charged with being a principal to second-degree murder, contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, possession of marijuana, and illegal possession of a stolen firearm.
As of early 2026, Jamal Holloway is still in custody at the Ascension Parish Jail, awaiting arraignment on the second-degree murder charge. The legal proceedings and the final disposition of the cases against the two juveniles who were also arrested in connection with the incident have not been publicly disclosed. Police had initially indicated that more arrests were expected in the case, but no further information on additional suspects has been released.
