In the quiet city of Natchitoches, Louisiana, a tragedy unfolded on the evening of May 9, 2026, that cut short the life of 20-year-old Michael Leslie. A white male from the nearby town of Many, Leslie was fatally shot in an incident that left the community seeking answers. The events of that Saturday evening spiraled into a homicide investigation that would soon lead to the apprehension of two suspects.
Around 5:22 p.m., the sound of gunshots pierced the air in the vicinity of Grace
Avenue and Dixie Street. Responding to the reports, officers from the Natchitoches Police Department arrived to find an overturned vehicle in the 1400 block of Grace Avenue. Inside the wreckage, they discovered Michael Leslie suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite the immediate medical aid rendered by the officers and the efforts of first responders who quickly arrived at the scene, Leslie's injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced dead by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner's Office.
The investigation into Leslie's death was swift, with detectives and patrol officers interviewing several witnesses in the aftermath of the shooting. These initial inquiries, coupled with the collection of physical and digital evidence, pointed to two individuals. The first suspect to be apprehended was 19-year-old Jakerius Demars, a Black male from Natchitoches. He was taken into custody and faced a litany of serious charges, including First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Criminal Conspiracy, Illegal Use of Weapons, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and Wearing Masks or Hoods when Prohibited. Shortly after, a second suspect, 25-year-old Tedrick White, also a Black male from Natchitoches, was arrested. White was charged with First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, Criminal Conspiracy, Illegal use of Weapons, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Both men were booked into the LaSalle Corrections / Natchitoches Parish Detention Center.
The case against Jakerius Demars and Tedrick White is currently an active and ongoing investigation, with law enforcement continuing to piece together the events that led to Michael Leslie's untimely death. As the legal process moves forward, the community awaits further details regarding the prosecution of the two men charged in connection with this tragic loss of a young life. At this time, there have been no convictions or sentencing in this case.
