In the early morning hours of September 24, 2016, in Plaisance, Louisiana, the lives of two young men were tragically cut short in an ambush-style attack. Nakia Ramar Jr., a 21-year-old male from Opelousas, and his friend, 19-year-old Shawn Parish, were found deceased inside a car at a residence on Cosay Road. Both men had been shot multiple times. The brutal nature of the double homicide sent shockwaves through the community and left their families searching for answers. The timing was particularly heartbreaking for Parish's family, as the murders occurred just hours after he had celebrated his birthday.
For years, the case remained a priority for the St. Landry Parish District Attorney's office. The investigation was complex, involving a significant amount of evidence and numerous witnesses. In February 2019, a major breakthrough occurred when JaMarcus McClendon, the son of a former Opelousas Police Chief, was indicted in connection with the double homicide. The indictment brought a renewed sense of hope for the victims' families that justice would be served. An altercation reportedly took place at the courthouse after the indictment, during which McClendon was allegedly attacked by members of one of the victim's families after he made a comment to them.
The legal proceedings culminated in February 2023, nearly six and a half years after the murders. Following a trial where prosecutors presented the extensive evidence they had gathered, JaMarcus McClendon was found guilty of two counts of First Degree Murder. The prosecution revealed that McClendon had used an AK-47 to carry out the killings. Subsequently, he was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence, ensuring he would spend the remainder of his life in prison for the deaths of Nakia Ramar Jr. and Shawn Parish.
