Latrice Thomas was a 28-year-old Black woman whose life was tragically taken in the spring of 2020. Born on March 15, 1992, she was a resident of Natchitoches, Louisiana. Following her death, her family held a private funeral service and laid her to rest in the Fern Park Cemetery.
On the night of Sunday, May 24, 2020, officers with the Natchitoches Police Department responded to reports of a shooting.
A little after 11:00 p.m., they arrived at the 600 block of Jackson Drive, where they discovered Latrice suffering from a gunshot wound. She was rushed to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, but she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.
As police began their investigation at the scene, they saw a vehicle driving away from the area. The driver was identified as 26-year-old Onterio Pier, also of Natchitoches. When officers tried to stop the vehicle, Pier led them on a pursuit that ended when he crashed in the 100 block of Harry Drive. He then abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into a nearby wooded area, temporarily eluding capture.
Police issued a warrant for Pier's arrest on a charge of second-degree murder, warning the public that he should be considered armed and dangerous. The search ended the following day. On May 25, 2020, Pier surrendered to authorities at the Natchitoches Police Department. He was arrested and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
A Natchitoches Parish grand jury later indicted Onterio Pier on one count of second-degree murder. District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington announced the indictment and stated his office was prepared to move forward with the prosecution. In February 2023, a jury convicted Pier in connection with the death of Latrice Thomas.
