In the early morning hours of March 29, 2024, Chakerus Hamilton Jr., a 20-year-old Black / African American male from Prairieville, Louisiana, was found dead in his vehicle on the eastbound side of Interstate 10. The discovery was made around 3:30 a.m. by Louisiana State Police troopers, who then notified the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office. A preliminary investigation revealed that Hamilton had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
For several months, the case remained under investigation.
Then, in August 2024, the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office announced the arrests of two teenagers in connection with Hamilton's death. Investigators identified Aniyah Williams, 18, of Baton Rouge, and Quinndarius Dabney, 19, of Donaldsonville, as the suspects. Authorities stated that the two were acquainted with Hamilton and had reportedly orchestrated his killing.
Williams was apprehended and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail. Dabney was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force for transport to the same facility. Dabney faces charges of first-degree murder, assault by drive-by shooting, illegal use of weapons, and aggravated damage to property. Williams was charged with principal to first-degree murder, assault by drive-by shooting, illegal use of weapons, and aggravated damage to property.
