In the days following Christmas, the life of 35-year-old Orlandas Jerome Chap was tragically cut short in Hammond, Louisiana. On the evening of December 26, 2023, authorities responded to a call of a shooting in the 1200 block of Smith Square. Upon arrival, they discovered Mr. Chap, a male resident of Hammond, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was quickly transported to North Oaks Medical Center for treatment, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries.
The Hammond Police Department promptly launched an investigation into the homicide, and their efforts quickly identified two suspects believed to be involved in the fatal shooting. The individuals were identified as 18-year-old Larry Covington and 18-year-old Jeremiah Covington, both from Hammond. In a swift move by law enforcement, Larry Covington was located and taken into custody on the same day as the incident. This initial arrest marked the beginning of the quest for justice for Orlandas Chap.
While one suspect was in custody, the search for the second, Jeremiah Covington, was immediately underway. For several days, he remained at large as police sought information from the public to aid in his capture. The manhunt concluded on January 3, 2024, when Hammond Police officials, acting on valuable intelligence, located Jeremiah Covington in Denham Springs, a city in neighboring Livingston Parish. He was apprehended without incident and was set to be booked as a fugitive in Tangipahoa Parish before being transferred to Hammond to face legal proceedings for his alleged role in the death of Orlandas Chap. Both teenagers were set to face charges for their alleged involvement in the murder.
