Elizabeth Lee Johnson Theriot, a 50-year-old woman, was tragically killed on January 26, 2019, in Gonzales, Louisiana. Her life was cut short in a violent shooting spree that also claimed the life of her 50-year-old husband, Keith Theriot. The couple was discovered with gunshot wounds in their home. Before succumbing to his injuries, Keith Theriot was able to identify their son, Dakota Theriot, as the assailant.
Elizabeth died shortly after being found.
The tragic events of that day began earlier in the neighboring Livingston Parish. There, Dakota Theriot is accused of fatally shooting three other individuals: 43-year-old Billy Ernest, his 20-year-old daughter Summer Ernest, and his son, Tanner Ernest. Following these initial acts of violence, Dakota Theriot allegedly drove to his parents' residence in Gonzales and turned the weapon on them.
After a manhunt, 21-year-old Dakota Theriot was apprehended the following day in Virginia at his grandmother's home. Fearing for her safety, his grandmother had checked into a hotel and asked authorities to check on her residence. When deputies were at the home, Theriot arrived, and he was taken into custody without incident. He was subsequently transported back to Louisiana to face multiple counts of first-degree murder, home invasion, and weapons violations.
