In a tragic turn of events on May 9, 2015, a young Black/African American man named Jonathan Delacroix, age 18, lost his life in Lafayette, Louisiana. The incident occurred on a Saturday in the 1600 block of 12th Street, where a gathering of teenagers took a fateful turn. What was supposed to be a casual time among peers ended in a fatal shooting that cut short a promising young life.
The circumstances surrounding Delacroix's death point to a devastating accident born from recklessness. According to police reports, 18-year-old Anthony Belony was handling a pistol in what he described as a playful manner. Belony later told detectives that he believed the firearm was unloaded. In a moment that would forever alter the course of multiple lives, he pointed the gun at Delacroix and pulled the trigger. A single gunshot to the face proved fatal for Jonathan, who was rushed to a local hospital where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Lafayette Police arrested Anthony Belony. He was subsequently charged with negligent homicide for his role in the death of his friend. In addition to the homicide charge, Belony also faced a charge for possession of marijuana. The case stands as a somber reminder of the irreversible consequences of mishandling firearms, forever marking the lives of two young men and their families.
