In the winter of 2017, the life of 17-year-old Da’Ni’Cea Maze was tragically cut short. On the evening of December 5th, Lafayette Police were called to the Vieux Orleans Circle apartment complex in response to a shooting. Upon arrival, they discovered the young male suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite being rushed to a local hospital, Maze succumbed to his injuries, leaving a community to grapple with the sudden and violent loss.
The investigation into the death of Da’Ni’Cea
Maze quickly gained momentum. Within days, law enforcement officials identified and apprehended two suspects in connection with the fatal shooting. The individuals taken into custody were 18-year-old Jalonnie Morris and 20-year-old Jaylon Artest, both residents of Lafayette. Their arrests brought a swift, albeit partial, sense of resolution to a community shaken by the seemingly senseless act of violence that claimed the life of the teenager.
Following their arrests, both Jalonnie Morris and Jaylon Artest faced serious charges for their alleged roles in the death of Da’Ni’Cea Maze. The two men were charged with second-degree murder, a charge that reflected the gravity of the crime. Additionally, they faced charges of illegal possession of a stolen firearm, suggesting a deeper layer to the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. While the arrests marked a significant step forward in the case, the community was left to await the lengthy and often arduous journey through the criminal justice system to see justice fully realized for the young life that was lost.
