In a tragic turn of events on the evening of June 19, 2023, a violent altercation in Lafayette, Louisiana, claimed the lives of two young men, including 21-year-old Denzel Smith. The fatal incident unfolded in the 100 block of South Orleans Drive, where Lafayette Police Department officers were dispatched around 9:46 p.m. following reports of an active shooting.
Upon their arrival, they discovered a grim scene with two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.
Denzel Smith was pronounced dead at the scene, his life cut short by the gunfire that had erupted. The second victim, 22-year-old Codie Laday, also from Lafayette, was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Laday succumbed to his injuries after arriving at the hospital. Smith, born on January 30, 2002, was remembered as a devoted father.
The investigation into the double homicide quickly led to the identification and apprehension of two suspects. Zaylin Sion, 21, of Lafayette, and Alayna Moreau, 18, of Church Point, were arrested in connection with the deadly shooting. Authorities located and took them into custody in West Baton Rouge Parish. The motive for the shooting is believed to have stemmed from an argument that escalated into lethal violence.
Following their arrests, both suspects were booked into the West Baton Rouge Parish Jail. Zaylin Sion faces serious charges, including two counts of first-degree murder and one count of illegal discharge of a firearm. Alayna Moreau has been charged with two counts of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. The investigation remains ongoing as law enforcement continues to piece together the events that led to the tragic deaths of Denzel Smith and Codie Laday.
