In a tragic and senseless act of violence, Ronald Vernon LeDuff, Jr., a 25-year-old male, lost his life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. On May 14, 2022, what began as a dispute between neighbors escalated into a fatal encounter. LeDuff was outside his home on West Chalfont Street when he was confronted by his neighbor, Henry Williams III. The confrontation took a deadly turn when Williams, armed and wearing a ski mask and a bulletproof vest, shot LeDuff multiple times.
The shooting unfolded in the middle of the day, shattering the peace of the neighborhood.
Following the shooting, Williams barricaded himself inside his home, leading to a prolonged standoff with law enforcement that lasted for hours. Specialized units from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, including SWAT, responded to the scene and worked to negotiate a peaceful surrender. During the standoff, Williams fired at deputies, wounding two of them. Eventually, authorities were able to take Williams into custody.
Henry Williams III, who was 34 years old at the time of the incident, was arrested and subsequently indicted on charges of second-degree murder for the death of Ronald LeDuff and attempted murder. In November 2024, a jury found Williams guilty of the murder. The evidence presented during the trial included video footage that showed Williams shooting LeDuff in the back seven times. Following his conviction, Henry Williams III was sentenced to life in prison for the killing of his neighbor.
