Elijah Isaiah Rideau, a 33-year-old man from Beaumont, Texas, tragically passed away on September 29, 2019. His death was part of a quadruple homicide that occurred at an apartment complex in the 4100 block of Highland Avenue in Beaumont. The incident involved the shooting deaths of four men: Elijah Rideau, Bobby Lee Wyatt , Shannon Christopher Sutton , and Alvin Lee Bellard .
According to police reports, Elijah Rideau managed to utter the name "Lively" just before he died, which was
identified as a "dying declaration". This statement led investigators to Lively James Stratton Jr., a 22-year-old man who was later indicted for capital murder in connection with the deaths of the four men. Witnesses at the scene identified Stratton as the individual who had been having prior conflicts with the victims and had threatened them before the shooting.
The investigation revealed that Stratton had been present at the apartment complex prior to the shooting and left the scene shortly afterward. Based on witness statements and the dying declaration made by Rideau, Stratton was arrested and charged with four counts of murder. The grand jury's indictment was a significant step in the legal proceedings, and Stratton faced serious legal consequences for his actions.
Elijah Rideau's death was a tragic event that not only affected his family and friends but also led to a significant legal case involving the suspect, Lively James Stratton Jr. The case highlighted the importance of witness testimonies and dying declarations in criminal investigations and the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.
