Wikeem Smith Lafayette Obituary, Cause of Death; Keiara Ledet and Wikeem Smith Dies in Lafayette, LA Murder Suicide
Super Bowl Sunday in Lafayette, Louisiana, was marked by tragedy as three people lost their lives in two separate shootings, and a fourth person died in a car accident.
These tragic events shook the community, with each incident connected by violence, loss, and trauma. The first deadly shooting occurred on Pinhook Road near Carmel Drive, where a domestic dispute escalated into a fatal confrontation.
Police authorities reported that 20-year-old Wikeem Smith of Lafayette shot and killed his girlfriend, 21-year-old Keiara Ledet, also of Lafayette. The altercation between the couple, which was tied to domestic violence, tragically ended with the loss of Ledet’s life.
Smith was subsequently arrested on charges of second-degree murder, possession of marijuana, and resisting an officer. Additionally, police discovered an outstanding arrest warrant for Smith in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
The details of the domestic dispute remain under investigation, but the devastating consequences have left both families reeling. The second shooting, which took place along Johnston Street, was similarly rooted in domestic conflict.
The incident involved 60-year-old Kevin Brown and his wife, 47-year-old Shentell Brown, both from New Iberia. Authorities indicated that a heated argument inside their SUV turned deadly when Kevin Brown shot his wife while she was behind the wheel.
After shooting Shentell, Kevin Brown turned the gun on himself, committing suicide. Their two children, aged 15 and 20, were in the back seat at the time. The children managed to escape the vehicle, with one of them flagging down a passing motorist who brought them to the Lafayette Police Department.
The second child, unfortunately, was struck by a passing vehicle but fortunately sustained only minor injuries. This incident, like the first, highlights the horrific toll domestic violence can take on families, leaving children deeply affected by the trauma and violence they witnessed.
Along with the heartbreak of the shootings, a fatal car crash along Ambassador Caffery Parkway added to the day’s sorrow. Near the Super One food store, a car rear-ended another vehicle, causing a chain reaction that led to a spin-out and the collision of three additional vehicles.
Authorities have stated that the driver responsible for the crash was killed, though the specific cause of the incident is still under investigation. The identity of the deceased driver has not yet been released, and the police continue to work on piecing together the events leading up to the crash.
