In the small city of Saint-Martinville, Louisiana, a tragic event unfolded on the evening of October 19, 2016, ending the life of Kendrick 'Monkey' Jones. A 30-year-old African American male, Jones was inside his truck on Longfellow Street when he was fatally shot. Witnesses reported hearing the gunshots and subsequently finding Jones unresponsive in his vehicle, which had come to a stop at the intersection of Buchanan and Resweber Streets.
The incident cast a somber mood over the community as word of the violent death began to spread.
The St. Martinville Police Department launched an intensive investigation into the homicide. Detectives spent the following two weeks meticulously gathering evidence and interviewing numerous individuals who might have had information about the shooting. Their efforts were focused on piecing together the events that led to the death of Kendrick Jones and identifying those responsible for the crime that had shaken the local residents. The community waited, hopeful that the perpetrators would be brought to justice for their actions.
A significant breakthrough in the case came on November 2, 2016, when the diligent work of the investigators led to the apprehension of two suspects. Two brothers, 22-year-old Darries J. Ledet and 24-year-old Kentrill J. Ledet, were taken into custody. Both men, residents of Saint-Martinville, were subsequently charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Kendrick Jones. They were booked into the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation and bringing a sense of cautious relief to the community.
The investigation did not conclude with the initial arrests. Further examination of the evidence and witness statements pointed to the involvement of a third individual. On November 8, 2016, investigators identified 24-year-old Troy Bourda, another resident of Saint-Martinville, as a suspect in the murder. At the time, Bourda was already incarcerated at the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center on unrelated matters. He was subsequently served with an arrest warrant and formally charged with second-degree murder, joining the Ledet brothers in facing legal proceedings for the death of Kendrick Jones.
