In the late summer of 2020, a family dispute in Opelousas, Louisiana, tragically escalated, leading to the death of 31-year-old Demitri Maurice Fontenot. An African American male, Fontenot passed away on September 7, 2020, at Lafayette General Medical Center from a gunshot wound sustained during an altercation with his nephew.
The incident unfolded in the 500 block of Narrow Street, where an argument between Demitri and his 21-year-old nephew, Decourian Fontenot, turned into a physical
struggle over a firearm. During the struggle, the weapon discharged, and Demitri was struck in the face. Following the shooting, it was Decourian who contacted the authorities and remained at the scene until law enforcement and emergency medical personnel arrived.
In the wake of the event, the Opelousas Police Department launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Decourian Fontenot was arrested in connection with his uncle's death. He subsequently faced charges of manslaughter and the illegal carrying of a weapon. The case highlighted what law enforcement described as a tragic outcome of a family dispute.
