On the evening of September 22, 2023, a fatal shooting in Alexandria, Louisiana, claimed the life of Malik Daquan Lynch, a 26-year-old Black man whose death left his family, friends, and young son mourning an unexpected loss. Known affectionately as "Toot" and "Toot Cobain," Malik was found dead after Alexandria Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting at 73 Eastwood Boulevard.
His death prompted a homicide investigation as authorities worked to determine who was responsible and what circumstances led to the violence.
At approximately 7:20 p.m. that Friday, Alexandria police received a call reporting a shooting victim at the Eastwood Boulevard location. When officers arrived, they discovered Malik suffering from what authorities described as an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators began examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting, but the initial public reports provided few details about what had happened immediately before officers were summoned. Police did not disclose whether an argument or confrontation preceded the gunfire, whether multiple people had been present, or whether witnesses had provided descriptions of anyone involved.
Malik, whose name also appears as Malik D'Kwan Lynch in his obituary, was born on October 21, 1996, in Urania, Louisiana. He spent part of his childhood in Winnfield before his family relocated to Dallas, Texas. Growing up, he developed a love for sports, particularly basketball and football. He attended South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas, graduating in 2015, and later continued his education at Texas Southern University in Houston. His early years were also shaped by his involvement with Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where he was baptized.
Beyond his education, Malik developed a passion for music and creative expression. He was remembered as an aspiring artist, writer, rapper, and music producer who enjoyed sharing his creativity with others. He also worked as a direct care provider at Westside Rehabilitation, a position involving assistance and support for people needing care. Those who knew him described him as funny, loving, and deeply devoted to his family. His greatest source of pride was his son, Sekani Jaiden Gold, whose life would be forever affected by the loss of his father.
Following the shooting, the Alexandria Police Department publicly acknowledged that detectives were conducting an active homicide investigation. Authorities appealed to the community for information that could help establish what happened on Eastwood Boulevard that evening. Anyone with knowledge of the shooting was encouraged to contact the department's Detective Division or provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers of Central Louisiana. Investigators hoped that witnesses or other individuals familiar with the circumstances could provide information necessary to identify the person responsible.
Despite the police investigation, publicly available reporting has not established the identity of a suspect in Malik's killing. No confirmed arrest, criminal charge, prosecution, trial, or conviction directly connected to his September 22, 2023, death could be verified. Investigators also did not publicly establish a motive or release a detailed account of the events leading to the gunfire. Without an identified perpetrator or a publicly documented judicial outcome, significant questions surrounding the shooting remain unanswered.
As the investigation continued, Malik's loved ones prepared to honor his memory. A celebration of his life was held on October 7, 2023, at Winnfield Funeral Home in Winnfield, Louisiana, followed by burial at Winnfield Cemetery. Family members, friends, and acquaintances shared condolences and memories of a young father whose enthusiasm for sports, music, and family had made a lasting impression. Messages left in his memory reflected the grief of those struggling to understand why his life had ended so suddenly.
Malik's death represented more than another fatal shooting in Alexandria. It meant the loss of a father who would no longer be present to watch his son grow, a family member whose absence would be felt at future gatherings, and a young man whose creative ambitions and personal aspirations were cut short. For those who knew him as Toot, his memory remains connected to his personality, his love of music, and the relationships he built throughout his life.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting at 73 Eastwood Boulevard remain unresolved in the publicly available information. Anyone possessing information about Malik's death can contact the Alexandria Police Department Detective Division at 318-441-6416 or APD Dispatch at 318-441-6559. Information can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Central Louisiana at 318-443-7867. For Malik's surviving family and friends, answers about the events of September 22, 2023, remain essential to understanding the circumstances of his death and pursuing accountability for the person responsible.
