The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested five suspects in connection with the fatal shooting Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026 of 25-year-old Kyron Davis of LaPlace. Davis, 25, was found suffering from gunshot wounds after crashing a car in the 300 block of Fir Street in LaPlace.
At approximately 8:57 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2026, St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a 911 call in reference to gunfire in the area of Fir Street and a vehicle that had crashed into the St. Joan of Arc Thrift Store.
The building, located parallel to Fir Street, sustained substantial damage. The store was closed and no one else was injured in the crash.
Davis was found lying on the ground, unconscious and unresponsive. He was transported to Ochsner Medical Center in LaPlace where he was pronounced dead.
Based on the collected evidence detectives say the shooting was the result of an altercation during a transaction at Davis’ home located in the 200 block of West Second Street. The investigation is ongoing and detectives are working to determine the nature of that transaction.
Davis was shot at his residence and then attempted to drive himself before crashing.
With the help of Flock cameras, SJSO crime cameras, residential and business surveillance cameras, detectives were able to locate the vehicle used in the shooting and apprehend the suspects involved, said Sheriff Mike Tregre.
Detectives also have recovered the weapon used in the homicide, Sheriff Tregre said.
“If it weren’t for this camera technology, we still might be trying to figure out what happened,” Sheriff Tregre said.
On Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, detectives arrested Jaren Byrd, 24, of LaPlace and booked him with illegal possession of a stolen firearm and second degree murder. He is being held without bond in the parish jail.
Donald Ray Davis III, 22, of LaPlace also was arrested Oct. 15, 2026 and booked with obstruction of justice (felony) and violation of probation and parole. Donald Ray Davis III is the brother of the victim and was present during the transaction according to witnesses. He later fled the scene and refused to cooperate with detectives.
On Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested:
• Jaunta Lakan Johnson, 25, of LaPlace and booked him with accessory after the fact to second degree murder, filing or maintaining false public records (felony), obstruction of justice (felony) and illegal transfer of a firearm to a prohibited possessor. He is being held in the parish jail under a $910,000 bond set by 40th JDC Judge Sterling Snowdy.
• Maleekah V. Byrd, 29, of Metairie, booked her with accessory after the fact to second degree murder, and obstruction of justice (felony). She is being held in the parish jail under an $870,000 bond set by 40th JDC Judge Sterling Snowdy. Maleekah Byrd and Jaren Byrd are married.
• Kerry Otis Bardell, Jr., 25, of Garyville, and booked him with obstruction of justice (felony) and accessory after the fact to second degree murder. He is being held in the parish jail under a $120,000 bond set by 40th JDC Judge Sterling Snowdy.
Sheriff Tregre would like to thank the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kenner Police Department and Homeland Security for their assistance in this investigation.
The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible. Anyone who may have information pertaining to this incident is encouraged to call the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS or the Criminal Investigations Division (Det. Sgt. Myaka Lane) at 985-212-7536. Citizens can also submit tips on the Sheriff’s Office website at https://stjohnsheriff.org/crime-arrests/crime-tips/give-us-a-general-crime-tip/