In the late summer of 2016, a dispute between two feuding groups in Jeff Davis Parish, Louisiana, escalated, culminating in the tragic death of 19-year-old Steven Richard of Welsh. On the evening of August 20, the simmering tensions boiled over, and the two parties agreed to meet for a fight at a neutral location on Farm Supply Road, just off the South Frontage Road in Jennings. It was a confrontation that would end a young man's life and irrevocably alter the lives of several others.
During the altercation, a single gunshot fatally wounded Steven Richard. He was rushed to Jennings American Legion Hospital, but the efforts to save him were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting quickly identified a primary suspect: Blaine Michael Easley, a 21-year-old from Jennings. Initially, Easley was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. However, after hearing testimony from multiple witnesses and reviewing the evidence, a Jeff Davis Parish grand jury chose to indict him on the lesser charge of manslaughter in December 2016. The grand jury's decision suggested a belief that the killing may not have been premeditated, but rather a tragic consequence of the escalating conflict. If convicted of manslaughter, Easley faced a potential sentence of up to 40 years in prison. His trial was initially set for September 2017 but was anticipated to be rescheduled.
Two other young men from Jennings, Dylan Gary, 17, and Aubrey Lee Henderson, also 17, were implicated in the events surrounding Richard's death. They were not accused of direct involvement in the shooting but were charged with accessory after the fact to second-degree murder and obstruction of justice, accused of assisting Easley after the crime had been committed. Both Gary and Henderson were released on bond as they awaited the resolution of their cases. The death of Steven Richard cast a somber shadow over the community, a stark reminder of how quickly a feud can escalate to a point of no return, leaving families to grapple with loss and a future forever changed.
