In the early morning hours of Friday, May 14, 2021, a tragic event unfolded in the parking lot of the Carom Inn in Denham Springs, Louisiana, leading to the death of Mark Anthony Melancon Sr., a 36-year-old male. The incident, which began as a physical altercation among several individuals, escalated with fatal consequences.
According to the Denham Springs Police Department, officers were dispatched to the hotel on Home Depot Drive after a report of a body in the parking lot.
Upon their arrival, they discovered Melancon with two apparent gunshot wounds to his back. The investigation that followed identified Evan L. Cloninger, a 30-year-old man, as the alleged shooter.
Investigators believe that during the altercation, Cloninger produced a handgun and fired at least two rounds at Melancon, striking him in the back. Following the shooting, Cloninger fled the scene on foot. The Denham Springs Police Department subsequently obtained an arrest warrant for Cloninger on a charge of second-degree murder.
At the time, authorities released a description of Cloninger, noting he was 5-feet, 7-inches tall, weighed 185 pounds, with black hair, brown eyes, and a distinctive tattoo of the name 'Emily' on the left side of his neck. Law enforcement sought the public's assistance in locating him. Information regarding his apprehension, any subsequent legal proceedings, or a conviction has not been made publicly available.
