In the quiet town of Jeanerette, Louisiana, a heartbreaking incident unfolded that led to the death of 7-year-old Lehemiah LeMarcus Simon, a male child. On the evening of Wednesday, December 22, 2021, a day just before the festive Christmas holiday, young Lehemiah was fatally wounded in what authorities would later describe as a tragic accident. The incident occurred inside a vehicle parked in the 1400 block of Main Street, outside of a local barbershop.
That evening, Lehemiah was in the
vehicle with his 15-year-old cousin. The older boy discovered a firearm inside the car. As he was examining the weapon, it unintentionally discharged. A single bullet struck Lehemiah in the head, inflicting a mortal wound. Emergency services were quickly summoned, and the young boy was airlifted to a nearby hospital in a desperate attempt to save his life. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Lehemiah succumbed to his injuries.
The Jeanerette Police Department, under the direction of then-Police Chief Dusty Vallot, immediately launched an investigation into the shooting. From the outset, all indications pointed towards the event being a devastating accident rather than a malicious act. Chief Vallot conveyed the heartbreak of the situation, particularly for the family who had lost a child in such a sudden and profound way, especially so close to Christmas.
In the aftermath of the investigation into the sorrowful death of Lehemiah LeMarcus Simon, it was determined that the shooting was indeed accidental. Consequently, no charges were filed against his 15-year-old cousin who had been handling the firearm. The community was left to mourn the loss of a young life, a poignant and somber event that cast a shadow over the holiday season in Jeanerette.
