On an April evening in Labadieville, Louisiana, the life of 30-year-old Travin K. Smith, a male resident of the town, was cut short by gunfire. The fatal shooting occurred on April 16, 2021, on Violet Street, where deputies from the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office found Smith deceased at the scene. Two other individuals were also wounded in the incident but sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation into the shooting led detectives to identify Ronald Vallejo, also 30
years old at the time, as the suspected shooter. A warrant was issued for Vallejo's arrest, but he had fled the area. The search for Vallejo extended beyond Louisiana, and in September 2021, he was apprehended by U.S. Marshals in Harris County, Texas. Following his capture, Vallejo was extradited back to Assumption Parish to face charges.
On December 6, 2021, an Assumption Parish Grand Jury returned a true bill of indictment against Ronald Vallejo. He was formally charged with the first-degree murder of Travin K. Smith. In addition to the murder charge, Vallejo was indicted on two counts of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated criminal damage to property, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and illegal possession of stolen firearms. Following the indictment, he was held in the Assumption Parish Jail without bond. The case was set to be prosecuted by the 23rd Judicial District Attorney's Office. As of early 2026, details regarding a trial, conviction, or sentencing in the murder case have not been made publicly available.
