On September 30, 2021, the life of Taylor Joubert, a Black/African American man from Opelousas, Louisiana, was cut short by gunfire. The shooting occurred in the Vista Village Shopping Center off Creswell Lane. Joubert was in the driver's seat of his car when he was shot; he was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle was also shot and sustained life-threatening injuries but survived after being transported to a local hospital.
The Opelousas Police Department’s
investigation led to two arrests. First, a 17-year-old juvenile was taken into custody and charged in connection with the homicide. Shortly thereafter, in October 2021, a second suspect, 20-year-old Keith Anthony Eli, II, turned himself in to authorities. Police arrested Eli and charged him with one count of second-degree murder for the death of Taylor Joubert and one count of attempted second-degree murder for the injuries to the passenger.
On November 3, 2021, a St. Landry Parish grand jury returned formal charges in the case. The grand jury indicted both Keith Eli II and another man, Braillon Manuel, on charges of second-degree murder for Joubert’s death and attempted second-degree murder of the second victim.
While awaiting trial, the case took an unexpected turn. Keith Eli, then 24 years old, escaped from custody in St. Landry Parish along with two other inmates. Authorities alerted the public that the men should be considered armed and dangerous, and a search was launched. As of the latest developments, Keith Eli remained at large.
