On a tragic night in Holden, Louisiana, the life of 26-year-old Dennis Carter Jr. was violently cut short in a devastating series of events that stemmed from a volatile domestic dispute. The night of September 5, 2009, turned into a scene of carnage when Dennis Carter Sr., 50, arrived at the family home and opened fire, forever altering the lives of those inside.
The younger Carter was found deceased inside the residence, a victim of the violent outburst that would claim multiple family members.
The horrifying incident did not end with Dennis Carter Jr.'s death. Also killed in the rampage were his mother, 49-year-old Donna Carter, and his own 2-year-old son, Mason William Carter. Dennis Jr.'s pregnant wife, Amber Carter, was critically injured after being shot and jumping from a second-story window, likely in a desperate attempt to save her young son. Miraculously, though Amber Carter was severely wounded, her unborn child was delivered safely and named Aubrey. Another young child, a 16-month-old boy, was discovered in the home physically unharmed.
The architect of this familial devastation, Dennis Carter Sr., had a documented history of domestic violence and was under a restraining order to stay away from his estranged wife, Donna. He had reportedly violated this order on multiple occasions and had even been incarcerated for it earlier that year. After carrying out the shootings at the family home, Carter Sr. fled the scene. His escape was short-lived, however. About 20 minutes after the initial shootings, deputies spotted his vehicle on a nearby highway. As they attempted to pull him over, Dennis Carter Sr. took his own life, bringing a final, grim end to the night's tragic events.
