In the early morning hours of May 20, 2021, the life of 21-year-old E’Jon Manny Dabney, a Black male, was tragically cut short in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. A native of New Orleans, Dabney was residing in Donaldsonville at the time of his death. The incident unfolded when shots were fired in the vicinity of West Fourth Street and Orange Street. Dabney, along with several others, was inside a vehicle that was struck by the gunfire.
He was driving the car, which came to a stop on Veterans Boulevard.
Upon their arrival, law enforcement officers discovered Dabney and a 14-year-old girl deceased inside the vehicle. Two other individuals in the car sustained minor injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office immediately launched a homicide investigation into the double slaying that shook the community. Family and friends mourned the loss of Dabney, who was remembered as a beloved son, brother, and father. His funeral services were held at Mt. Triumph Baptist Church in Donaldsonville, where those who knew him gathered to pay their final respects.
For over a year, the investigation into the murders of E’Jon Dabney and the teenage girl continued. Then, in July 2022, a significant breakthrough was announced. The Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office arrested 21-year-old Devonte Leblanc in connection with the fatal shooting. Leblanc was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, three counts of attempted first-degree murder, criminal damage to property, and the illegal use of weapons. The arrest brought a measure of hope for justice to the families of the victims and the Donaldsonville community.
