On a tragic Saturday evening, LaKeisha Shunta Bullions Hayward, a 37-year-old female, was fatally shot in Alexandria, Louisiana. The incident, which occurred on June 17, 2023, also resulted in serious injuries to three other individuals. Hayward, who was from San Antonio, Texas, and had former ties to Alexandria, was attending a funeral repast when the shooting broke out.
The gathering was being held in the 3300 block of Willow Glenn Road.
The gunman was identified as 59-year-old Augusta Moore of Pineville. In what authorities have described as a spontaneous act of violence, Moore opened fire on the unsuspecting attendees. Following the shooting, Moore fled the scene and barricaded himself inside his residence on East Shamrock in Pineville. This led to a prolonged standoff with law enforcement, including the Alexandria Police Department, Pineville Police Department, the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office, and Louisiana State Police.
After several hours of negotiation failed, an exchange of gunfire between Moore and law enforcement officers resulted in Moore being shot and killed. Subsequent investigations revealed that Augusta Moore was a convicted murderer. He had previously been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife in another state but was released after serving 28 years. The weapon he used in the attack on Hayward and the other victims was illegally possessed.
