On the night of December 23, 2017, a Christmas party at the Southeast Community Center in Eunice, Louisiana, turned tragic, ending the life of 23-year-old Tyree Frederick. The festive gathering, with approximately 100 people in attendance, was shattered by the sound of gunfire, leaving Frederick with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite being rushed to a local hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting led by the Eunice Police Department identified two
suspects. The first, 18-year-old Rontreal J. Prejean of Lafayette, was arrested and initially charged with first-degree murder and three counts of attempted first-degree murder. Investigators believed that Prejean, a rapper hired to perform at the party, became involved in an altercation and subsequently opened fire. In April 2018, a grand jury in the 27th Judicial District Court indicted Prejean on the lesser charge of second-degree murder.
A second suspect, 21-year-old Darron C. Carter, also from Lafayette, was later identified and apprehended. Carter, who authorities stated was a member of the Gremlin Gang of Vermilion Parish, was also indicted by a grand jury in July 2018 on one count of second-degree murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. At the time of the indictments, law enforcement officials expressed confidence in their case against both men.
The shooting not only resulted in the death of Tyree Frederick but also caused non-life-threatening injuries to three other individuals at the party: two teenage males, aged 14 and 15, and a 22-year-old female. The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Eunice Police Department and the St. Landry Parish District Attorney's Office, with detectives working diligently to interview witnesses and piece together the events of that fatal night. While many witnesses cooperated, authorities reported that others were reluctant to come forward with information. The motive for the shooting was reported to stem from an altercation that occurred during the party.
