In the midst of a festive block party on a December night in Crowley, Louisiana, the air was shattered by gunfire. On December 27, 2020, a vehicle approached the gathering on West Hutchinson Street and unleashed a spray of bullets into the crowd. Among the attendees was 31-year-old Nikita Ryan Keith Savoy, a male resident of Crowley. He was critically injured during the indiscriminate shooting and later succumbed to his wounds.
The violent outburst left the community in shock and mourning, as it claimed another life at the scene, 25-year-old Joseph Castillo. A third individual was also struck by the gunfire but sustained only minor injuries. The Crowley Police Department quickly launched an investigation into the deadly drive-by shooting, identifying at least two shooters who they believed were responsible for the tragic events of that evening. The investigation painted a grim picture of a celebration turned into a scene of chaos and loss.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Crowley Police Department made progress in their investigation, leading to an arrest in connection with the double homicide. Raphues 'Tonky' Joseph turned himself in to the authorities and was subsequently taken into custody. He faced two counts of Second Degree Murder for his alleged role in the deaths of Nikita Savoy and Joseph Castillo. Joseph was booked into the Acadia Parish Jail, with his bond set at $825,000. While an arrest was made, the investigation into the senseless act of violence that cut short two young lives remained ongoing as detectives continued to follow leads in the case.
