A Memorial Day pool party at the Fairway View Apartments in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, turned into a scene of tragedy on May 31, 2021, when gunfire erupted, claiming the life of 18-month-old Ja’Tyri Unique Brown. The young female was playing near the pool when she was struck by a stray bullet and later died from her injuries at a local hospital. The shooting, which occurred around 8 p.m., also resulted in the deaths of two other individuals, Dwayne Dunn, Jr., 17, and Reginald Thomas, 20, who
were the intended targets.
The incident began when individuals entered the gated pool area and approached Dunn and Thomas. A brief struggle ensued before multiple shots were fired, fatally wounding the two men at the scene and striking young Ja’Tyri. Her father heard the gunshots and saw his daughter floating in the pool. The family of Ja’Tyri Brown has stated they had no connection to the suspects or the other victims.
In the days following the shooting, an investigation led to the arrests of several suspects. Authorities identified two brothers, David Williams, 19, and Ladarius Coleman, who was 15 at the time, as the alleged gunmen. They were arrested in early June 2021. Their mother, Latoya Coleman, 36, was also arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder for allegedly helping her sons attempt to flee the area. Two other individuals, Christopher Stovall, 23, and Darrell Edwards, 15, were also arrested as principals to three counts of first-degree murder, accused of knowing about the planned shooting and assisting the brothers in evading arrest.
In October 2021, a grand jury indicted David Williams and Ladarius Coleman on three counts of second-degree murder. The trial for the two brothers began on August 19, 2024. On August 23, 2024, a jury found Ladarius Coleman guilty on all three counts of second-degree murder. On December 4, 2024, the now 19-year-old Coleman was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the triple homicide.
