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April Charles

Death by Force
Case Description
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April Lawonda Charles, a 36-year-old African American woman from Franklin, Louisiana, tragically lost her life on July 5, 2018. She was fatally shot twice in an apartment complex on Ibert Street. The incident was part of a murder-suicide, as the shooter, Kenneth Smith Jr., aged 30, turned the gun on himself immediately afterward.

April Charles had previously filed for a protective order against Kenneth Smith Jr. in May 2018, which was granted by a district judge on June 1, 2018. This was ...Read More
Links to Additional Sources (7)
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  • KLFY: Two dead in Franklin murder-suicide
  • Vigil tonight for Franklin woman killed in murder-suicide - KATC
    •     ...View 5 additional sources
    Victim Details

    April Charles

    Female

    Black / African American

    Franklin

    LA

    2018-07-05

    36

    April

    Charles

    11/16/2025

    Forum Posts (3)
    Hey everyone, I can't stop thinking about this tragedy. I’ve been following April Charles’ case ... ...Read More
    07/20/2024
    I’ve been thinking a lot about the neighbors who lived in the apartment complex on Ibert Street wh... ...Read More
    10/21/2023
    I just can't stop thinking about the failures in the system when it comes to protective orders. Apri... ...Read More
    03/02/2023
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