On the evening of Tuesday, October 15, 2024, in Lutcher, Louisiana, the life of 19-year-old Makhai Ramon Martin was cut short in a burst of gunfire. The incident, which unfolded in the 2100 block of Louisiana Highway 44, also left another 19-year-old male wounded and in need of hospital care. The St. James Parish Sheriff's Office received the first call about a male victim being shot shortly before 8:40 p.m., followed by a second call just ten minutes later reporting another shooting victim in
the same vicinity.
Responding deputies found a chaotic scene. Martin was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds and was later pronounced dead. The second victim was transported to an area hospital for medical attention. As the investigation commenced, law enforcement located a suspect's vehicle, a silver Nissan Altima, abandoned on the Westbank side of the Veterans Memorial Bridge. The car bore the tell-tale signs of the violent encounter, with damage from gunfire. It was reported that four male suspects had exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Deputies from both St. James and St. John parishes conducted a search of the area but were unable to immediately locate the individuals.
The investigation into the death of Makhai Martin led to a significant development a week after the fatal shooting. The St. James Parish Sheriff's Office arrested 28-year-old Kendrick Armant in connection with the case. Following his arrest, Armant was held without bond. The legal process moved forward, and nearly a year after the incident, in October 2025, a grand jury indicted Kendrick Armant on the charge of first-degree murder for his alleged role in the killing of Makhai Martin. The case against him is ongoing as he awaits trial.
