In the quiet community of Raceland, Louisiana, a heartbreaking incident unfolded on the evening of February 22, 2023, claiming the life of six-year-old Davonta 'DJ' Michel Jr. The young male's life was cut short by a single gunshot wound inside a residence in the 2000 block of LA Highway 182. The tragedy occurred as Davonta and his six-year-old brother were playing with a loaded handgun they had found.
The two young boys discovered the firearm in a bedroom and, in the course of their
play, the weapon discharged, striking Davonta. At approximately 7:45 p.m., a frantic 911 call was placed from the home, reporting that a small child had been shot and was unresponsive. First responders arrived to find the critically injured child. CPR was administered at the scene before he was rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was tragically pronounced dead. The boys were reportedly with their grandparents at the time of the fatal incident.
The subsequent investigation by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office revealed that the handgun was unsecured in the bedroom of the children's father, 24-year-old Davonta Michel Sr. Following a full investigation into the circumstances of the shooting, an arrest warrant was issued for the father. On March 27, 2023, Davonta Michel Sr. surrendered to authorities at the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux. He was subsequently charged with negligent homicide, and his bail was set at $200,000.
The loss of young Davonta, a first-grader at Lockport Lower Elementary School, deeply impacted the local community. In response to the tragedy, the Lafourche Parish Public Schools superintendent confirmed that counseling services would be provided at the school to support students and staff. The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services was also involved in the response to the incident.
