In the early hours of a Wednesday morning in Opelousas, Louisiana, a devastating act of violence claimed the lives of 4-year-old Rakatelyn Colla and 46-year-old Alton James Thomas. The tragic events unfolded on April 27, 2022, at an apartment complex on Mia Street, forever altering the lives of their families and the community.
The incident, which stemmed from an earlier dispute, escalated when gunfire erupted into an apartment unit.
Rakatelyn, a young girl with her whole life ahead of her, was critically injured and tragically died at a local hospital. Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene. The senseless act of violence also left three other children injured, including a 17-month-old who sustained serious injuries and a 7-year-old who was listed in stable condition. A 16-year-old in a nearby home was also grazed by a bullet.
In the days that followed, the Opelousas Police Department launched an intensive investigation, which quickly led to the identification of two suspects. An arrest warrant was issued for Felton James Martin and Davieontray L. Breaux, both from the Lafayette area. The charges against them were severe, including two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of attempted first-degree murder, home invasion, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
On April 28, 2022, investigators tracked Felton James Martin to the Baton Rouge area, where he was apprehended. At the time of Martin's arrest, Davieontray Breaux remained at large and was considered armed and dangerous. The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Department, Lafayette Police Department, Homeland Security, the Attorney General's Office, Louisiana State Police, and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Department, highlighting the collaborative effort to bring those responsible to justice. The search for Breaux continued as the community mourned the loss of a young child and a beloved member of their community.
