In the early morning hours of November 16, 2014, a promising life was tragically cut short in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Juan Joseph, a 27-year-old male, was fatally shot outside a nightclub near College Drive and Interstate 10. Joseph, a celebrated former college football star and a beloved high school coach, was attempting to de-escalate an argument when the fatal shots were fired.
The incident began when Joseph and two friends were leaving the Allure nightclub.
An argument erupted with two men in another vehicle after one of Joseph's friends was reportedly struck by their car. As the altercation escalated, Joseph stepped in to act as a peacemaker, trying to get his friends to leave the scene. It was then that one of the men from the other vehicle produced a handgun and shot Joseph twice in the chest. He was rushed to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. At the time of his death, Joseph was married with one young daughter and another child on the way.
The investigation into Juan Joseph's death led to the identification of two suspects. The gunman was identified as Jamarcus Goodman of Houston. The driver of the vehicle was Lemark Cloud of Baton Rouge. Initially, another individual, Kendric Cloud, was charged in connection with the murder; however, court proceedings ultimately focused on Goodman and Lemark Cloud.
Four years after the senseless killing, justice was served for Juan Joseph and his family. Jamarcus Goodman pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Goodman admitted to firing the two fatal shots from a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. The prosecution asserted that his actions were not in self-defense. Lemark Cloud, the driver, had been sentenced in 2016 to more than seven years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
