On an autumn evening in Jena, Louisiana, the life of 44-year-old Leon Shawn Turner was brought to a violent and abrupt end. On October 24, 2020, while engrossed in working under the hood of his car, Turner was ambushed by several gunmen who unleashed a sudden hail of bullets. The attack was swift and brutal, leaving Turner with two gunshot wounds and no chance of survival; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
This shocking act of violence, described by authorities as an 'ambush-style shooting,' sent ripples of fear and grief through the community.
In the immediate aftermath, the LaSalle Parish Sheriff's Office descended upon the scene, launching a homicide investigation that continues to this day. Eyewitnesses provided a fleeting glimpse of a potential suspect, describing an individual approximately 5'10' tall, clad in a camouflage pullover and black pants, seen running from the area. However, this description has yet to lead to a breakthrough in the case. The identities of the gunmen who callously cut down Leon Turner remain a mystery, and no arrests have been made in connection with his murder.
The passage of time has not diminished the quest for justice for Leon Turner. The LaSalle Parish Sheriff's Office has kept the case open, actively seeking any piece of information that could help them solve this heinous crime. A $5,000 cash reward is still being offered for any tip that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for the shooting. Turner's family, heartbroken by their loss, continues to hold out hope that those who took his life will be brought to justice, periodically holding gatherings to honor his memory and to remind the public that the case is far from closed. His daughter, Jayda, then 16, has publicly expressed her wish for the gunmen to find it in their hearts to come forward and do the right thing.
