In the early morning light of September 1, 2020, a tragedy unfolded in the parking lot of the Parkview Apartments in Monroe, Louisiana, forever altering the lives of two families. Malacra Oyah Smith, a 44-year-old African American man, was fatally shot in a brazen act of violence that also claimed the life of another man, Lamarcus Plater. The brazen shooting, which occurred just before 7:30 a.m., sent shockwaves through the community, leaving friends and family to mourn the loss of a man
remembered as a loving father and a generous soul.
Born on June 27, 1976, Malacra, known to many as O'yah, was a man who never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a helping hand. A former employee of Gardner Denver, he was a proud alumnus of Carroll High School and was known for his infectious smile and kind, generous spirit. His sudden and violent death left a void in the hearts of his wife, seven children, and a large extended family who cherished him deeply.
The immediate aftermath of the shooting saw the Monroe Police Department launch an intensive investigation. Surveillance footage from the apartment complex captured the horrific incident, providing crucial evidence for law enforcement. The chilling video even recorded one of the shooters expressing a disturbing lack of remorse about the possibility of incarceration. Within days, authorities identified three suspects in the double homicide: Daniel J. Towns, then 22, Mario Jones, 19, and Delarrious Jones, 28.
The investigation led to the swift arrests of Daniel J. Towns and Mario Jones, who were both charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted second-degree murder. However, the third suspect, Delarrious Jones, managed to evade capture and remained a fugitive from justice for a considerable time. For his alleged role in the deaths of Smith and Plater, Delarrious Jones was also charged with two counts of second-degree murder. After a lengthy search, he was apprehended on March 25, 2025, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, bringing a long-awaited development in the pursuit of justice for Malacra Oyah Smith and Lamarcus Plater.
