In the early morning hours of July 3, 2016, a joyous holiday weekend turned tragic in Monroe, Louisiana, ending the life of 30-year-old Clay D. Smith, a Black male. The fatal incident unfolded in the parking lot of the Monroe Civic Center, where a large private event, attended by as many as 2,000 people, was concluding.
As patrons began to leave the venue shortly after 1:30 a.m., a dispute erupted between two groups who reportedly had a pre-existing conflict.
The verbal altercation quickly escalated into a physical fight, shattering the post-event calm. In the midst of the chaos, gunshots rang out, striking five individuals. The hail of bullets proved fatal for Smith and another man, Deatrick Wilson. Three other people sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the shooting.
The Monroe Police Department launched an immediate investigation into the deadly shooting. Based on witness accounts, authorities identified 24-year-old Jaterrious “Dra” Godfrey as one of the shooters. On the Monday following the incident, Godfrey was apprehended and taken into custody.
Following his arrest, Jaterrious Godfrey was charged with two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Clay Smith and Deatrick Wilson. He also faced a charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Godfrey was booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center, with his bond set at $650,000. Further details regarding the resolution of the charges against Godfrey, including any trial or conviction, are not readily available in online sources.
