St. Martinville High School Homecoming: 24-Year-Old Deiondre Benjamin Fatally Shot Near Campus Before Football Game, 22-Year-Old Zackyric Gardner Arrested and Charged with Second-Degree Murder After Multi-State Pursuit Ends in Texas”
In a devastating turn of events, the St. Martinville community is grappling with the tragic loss of 24-year-old Deiondre Benjamin, who was fatally shot near St. Martinville High School just before the school’s highly anticipated homecoming football game on Friday night, October 27, 2024. The shooting occurred in close proximity to the school, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a celebratory evening for students, alumni, and local residents. Authorities have since arrested 22-year-old Zackyric Gardner in connection with the incident. Gardner, a fellow St. Martinville resident, has been charged with second-degree murder following his apprehension in Texas, where he was located as a passenger in a vehicle.
The incident has left the tight-knit community reeling and has prompted an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting. While the exact motives remain unclear, law enforcement is actively working to piece together the events leading up to the tragic confrontation that claimed the young man’s life.
A Night Meant for Celebration Turns to Tragedy
The St. Martinville High School homecoming game is an annual event that brings together the community, including current students, parents, alumni, and locals. The football game serves as a focal point of the school’s homecoming festivities, drawing large crowds who come to cheer for the team and reconnect with friends and family. This year’s event was no different, with hundreds of attendees eagerly gathering on campus as the festivities were set to begin.
However, the celebratory atmosphere was shattered by a sudden eruption of gunfire near the school’s perimeter. Witnesses reported hearing multiple shots ring out just minutes before the game was set to commence, leading to immediate panic and confusion among the crowd. People rushed for safety, unsure of the origin of the shots or whether the situation posed an ongoing threat. Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene and discovered Deiondre Benjamin lying on the ground with gunshot wounds. Despite their efforts to provide life-saving medical assistance, Benjamin succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities immediately cordoned off the area, and the homecoming game was canceled as a precautionary measure. The shocking nature of the incident, coupled with the loss of life, left many in attendance visibly shaken, with parents comforting children and local officials working to reassure the community. The tragic shooting not only cast a pall over the school’s homecoming but also raised pressing questions about safety and violence in the community.
Arrest and Charges: Zackyric Gardner Apprehended in Texas
The investigation into Deiondre Benjamin’s death moved swiftly, with law enforcement officials treating the shooting as a homicide from the outset. Within hours of the incident, authorities identified 22-year-old Zackyric Gardner as a suspect in the case. Gardner, who also hails from St. Martinville, was soon located in Texas, where he was apprehended by law enforcement officers during a traffic stop. He was reportedly traveling as a passenger in a vehicle, and officers arrested him without incident.
Gardner has since been charged with second-degree murder, a serious felony charge that carries significant legal consequences. The decision to charge him with this crime indicates that investigators believe the shooting was intentional, though the exact details regarding the motive or any potential relationship between the victim and suspect have not been fully disclosed. Police have stated that they are pursuing all available leads to uncover the nature of the dispute that led to the fatal encounter.
Gardner is currently being held in a Texas jail pending extradition back to Louisiana, where he will face trial. Authorities have also indicated that additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues. Meanwhile, the St. Martinville Police Department is working with other law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Department of Public Safety and the FBI, to gather further evidence in the case.
Remembering Deiondre Benjamin
As news of Deiondre Benjamin’s death spread, a wave of grief washed over the St. Martinville community. Benjamin, known affectionately as “Dre” by his friends and family, was remembered as a kind-hearted young man who had an infectious smile and a generous spirit. He was well-liked by many in the community, having grown up in St. Martinville and attended the local schools. Those who knew him spoke of his passion for sports, his commitment to his friends, and his love for his family.
Friends took to social media to express their sorrow and disbelief over the sudden loss. “I still can’t believe you’re gone, Dre. You always had a way of making everyone around you laugh and feel loved,” wrote one friend on Facebook. Another post read, “We lost a good soul way too soon. Rest in peace, Deiondre. Your memory will live on in all of us who were lucky enough to know you.”
In the days following the shooting, a makeshift memorial began to form at the site where the incident occurred. Mourners left flowers, candles, and handwritten notes in honor of Benjamin, paying their respects to a life that was tragically cut short. St. Martinville High School also held a moment of silence during the following school day to remember Benjamin and acknowledge the impact of his passing on the student body and community at large.
Community Outcry and the Call for Justice
The tragic circumstances of Deiondre Benjamin’s death have sparked a larger conversation within St. Martinville about violence, particularly gun violence, and its devastating effects on the community. Many residents expressed outrage over the loss of yet another young life to senseless violence. Local leaders have spoken out, urging the community to come together to address the root causes of such incidents and to work toward solutions that can prevent future tragedies.
“Enough is enough,” said St. Martinville Mayor Melinda Johnson at a press conference following the shooting. “We cannot continue to lose our young people to violence. We must come together as a community to find ways to resolve conflicts peacefully and to ensure that our children and young adults feel safe in our city. We owe it to Deiondre and all of those we have lost to make a change.”
Local organizations, including anti-violence advocacy groups and youth outreach programs, have pledged to increase their efforts to reach at-risk individuals and provide them with resources aimed at conflict resolution, education, and job training. Community leaders emphasized the importance of working with law enforcement to improve public safety while also addressing underlying social issues that contribute to violence.
The Legal Road Ahead for Zackyric Gardner
As Zackyric Gardner awaits his extradition to Louisiana, legal experts have begun weighing in on the potential outcomes of the case. Second-degree murder, the charge brought against Gardner, carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment if he is convicted. The charge implies that the shooting was carried out with malicious intent but was not premeditated, distinguishing it from first-degree murder, which would require evidence of planning.
Legal analysts suggest that Gardner’s defense team will likely focus on the events leading up to the shooting, including any possible provocation or circumstances that could be used to argue for a lesser charge, such as manslaughter. Prosecutors, on the other hand, will be tasked with presenting evidence that Gardner acted with a clear intent to cause harm and that the shooting was not justifiable under the law.
The outcome of the case will depend heavily on witness testimonies, physical evidence, and the specifics of the investigation. As the legal process unfolds, both the prosecution and defense will seek to present a narrative that supports their arguments, while the community awaits justice for Deiondre Benjamin.
School and Public Safety Concerns Raised
The shooting has also raised significant concerns regarding safety at school events, prompting local authorities and school officials to reassess security measures. St. Martinville High School, like many other schools across the country, has traditionally held events such as homecoming games as a means of fostering school spirit and community engagement. However, the tragic shooting has now placed a renewed focus on ensuring that such gatherings remain safe for all attendees.
In the wake of the incident, the school district announced plans to implement additional security protocols at future events, including the possibility of increased police presence, bag checks, and metal detectors. School officials acknowledged the importance of maintaining a balance between creating a welcoming environment for students and families while also taking necessary precautions to safeguard against potential threats.
Parents and community members have expressed a mix of relief and concern regarding these new measures. Some have voiced support for the changes, while others worry about the impact of heightened security on the atmosphere of school events. “We don’t want our kids to feel like they’re going to a prison instead of a football game,” one parent commented. “But at the same time, we need to know that they’re safe.”
Moving Forward After the Tragedy
As St. Martinville seeks to heal from the shock of Deiondre Benjamin’s untimely death, there is a shared recognition that more must be done to address the issues of violence and conflict within the community. Initiatives aimed at engaging youth, promoting nonviolent conflict resolution, and supporting mental health services are being discussed as potential steps toward fostering a safer and more connected community.
The family of Deiondre Benjamin has called for peace and unity in the wake of his death, urging the community to remember him not for the circumstances of his passing, but for the life he lived. A memorial service is being planned, where family and friends will have the opportunity to come together to celebrate his memory and honor the legacy he leaves behind.
