In the fall of 2024, the community of St. Martinville, Louisiana, was shaken by the violent death of 24-year-old Deiondre Benjamin. The incident, which took place on Friday, October 25, 2024, cast a dark shadow over what should have been a festive evening at the St. Martinville Senior High homecoming football game. An argument that began in the tailgate area outside the stadium escalated into a fatal shooting, abruptly ending the life of the young man, who was just days shy of his 25th
birthday. The game against Erath was immediately canceled, leaving a community in shock and mourning.
The investigation into Benjamin's death moved swiftly, aided by the city's recently installed camera system. Law enforcement was able to identify a vehicle and its license plate, tracking its movements away from the school and toward Breaux Bridge and Interstate 10. Believing the occupants were headed to Houston, a common destination for those fleeing the area, St. Martinville Police contacted authorities in Beaumont, Texas. Beaumont police successfully intercepted the vehicle and took three individuals into custody.
Among those arrested was 22-year-old Zackyric Gardner, who was identified as the suspected shooter and charged with second-degree murder. Another man, 30-year-old Jacques Brousard, was also arrested and charged with accessory after the fact to second-degree murder for allegedly driving Gardner to Texas after the shooting. The underlying cause of the tragic event was reported to be a long-standing feud between families.
In May 2025, a grand jury indicted Zackyric Gardner on the charge of second-degree murder. For Benjamin's grieving family, the indictment marked a significant step in the long road toward justice. They remember him as a devoted family man, particularly to his young daughter, and are hopeful that the legal process will bring a measure of closure. If convicted, Gardner could face a sentence of up to life in prison. The case continues to move through the judicial system.
