In the late hours of a Sunday evening in Amite, Louisiana, a dispute outside a local lounge tragically escalated, ending the life of 50-year-old Larry Anthony Davis Sr. The incident occurred just before midnight on December 23, 2018, outside of Mr. J's Lounge located off Bennett Road. Deputies from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office responded to the scene to find Davis with a gunshot wound.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators determined that Davis had been involved in a physical altercation with another man, identified as 33-year-old Jerome Ricks. During the course of the fight, Ricks allegedly produced a handgun and shot Davis before fleeing the area. An anonymous witness to the event recounted hearing the initial gunshot, turning to see Davis on the ground, and then hearing a second shot before the assailant left.
Following the shooting, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office identified Jerome Ricks as the suspect and initiated a search. A few days later, on the Wednesday following the incident, Ricks turned himself in to deputies in the neighboring St. Helena Parish. At the time of the offense, authorities noted that Ricks had an extensive criminal history, which included charges related to weapons and narcotics. He had been released on parole for an armed robbery charge less than two months prior to the fatal shooting of Davis.
