In the winter of 2017, a life was tragically cut short in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Christopher Dewayne Wright, a 16-year-old African American male, died on February 23, 2017. A student at LaGrange High School, Christopher's death sent ripples of sorrow through his community.
The circumstances that led to the teenager's demise were a grim illustration of the dangers of firearms. On that February day, Christopher was with another 16-year-old, Braylon Holley.
The two were engaged in what authorities would later describe as 'horse playing' with two loaded weapons in the 1700 block of Rena Street. This dangerous activity took a fatal turn when one of the firearms discharged, striking and killing Christopher.
In the immediate aftermath, a sense of confusion and panic ensued. Braylon Holley fled the scene, discarding a semi-automatic pistol in the 1100 block of North Cherry Street before he was located by Lake Charles police. Initially, he faced charges of negligent homicide, illegal possession of a handgun, and being a runaway.
As the investigation progressed, the legal ramifications for Holley became more severe. The Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office made the decision that he would be tried as an adult. Subsequently, a grand jury indicted Holley on a more serious charge of manslaughter. Following the indictment, an arrest warrant was issued, and he was ordered to be held without bond in the Calcasieu Correctional Center, having been transferred from the parish's juvenile detention center.
