In the quiet town of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, the life of 26-year-old Cole Horton was tragically cut short on the evening of January 10, 2022. He was discovered by his parents lying in his driveway, having been shot multiple times. The harrowing scene unfolded after his parents heard gunshots nearby, only to find their son lifeless with his eyes still open.
The young man, described by his family as selfless and full of love, was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving his close-knit family reeling in shock and grief.
The investigation into the shooting led the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office to a juvenile suspect. Three weeks after Horton's death, an arrest was made, and the individual was charged with second-degree murder. However, to the dismay of the Horton family, the accused was released on bond after only a month in jail. This turn of events caused significant distress for the family, who reported seeing the individual in their community, leading to a constant and painful reminder of their loss. For months, the legal process was fraught with delays, as scheduled murder trials were repeatedly postponed, amplifying the family's frustration and quest for justice.
Ultimately, the person responsible for Cole Horton's death, Landan Collette, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter. The motive for the fatal encounter was a verbal disagreement that escalated when Horton went to Collette's home to retrieve a piece of jewelry. During the dispute, Collette produced a firearm and shot the unarmed Horton approximately five times before fleeing. Evidence presented during the legal proceedings included positive gunshot residue on Collette, shell casings at the scene that matched the firearm found in his vehicle, and his own statements to others confirming he had shot Horton. On January 15, 2024, Landan Collette was sentenced to thirty-three years at hard labor for the death of Cole Horton.
