In the midst of Mardi Gras festivities in Jeanerette, Louisiana, a burst of violence cut short the life of 22-year-old Dante Archangel on February 4, 2018. The young man, a father of two, was fatally shot during the Krewe of Ezana's annual parade, an event that suddenly turned from celebration to tragedy. Another individual was also wounded in the shooting but survived.
The incident, which occurred following a physical altercation, prompted an immediate investigation by the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office.
Born in Lafayette and raised in Jeanerette, Dante was described as a young man with a heart of gold who deeply loved his family. His life was shared with his fiancée, Bianca George, and their two children, a son and a daughter. He was a cherished son, brother, and grandson, leaving behind a close-knit family to mourn his sudden and violent passing.
In the days following the shooting, law enforcement identified three suspects in connection with the homicide. Through anonymous tips and witness accounts, investigators pinpointed Thaddeus Gabriel, 22, of Baldwin; Dandre Gabriel, 24, of Jeanerette; and Kentrell Gabriel, 20, of Jeanerette, as the individuals involved. The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office located and arrested Thaddeus Gabriel on February 8, charging him with principal to second-degree murder and principal to attempted second-degree murder. The next day, Dandre Gabriel turned himself in to the authorities and faced charges of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.
The final suspect, Kentrell Gabriel, remained at large for a period, considered armed and dangerous. A multi-agency effort involving the U.S. Marshals Service and narcotics detectives from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office led to his apprehension later in February. He was found at a residence in Ashton and taken into custody without incident. Kentrell Gabriel was charged with principal to second-degree murder and principal to attempted second-degree murder.
