Nationwide — Davian Nicholas, an 8-year-old African American boy from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was killed in a shooting near his home Sunday evening. Four people were arrested within 24 hours in connection with his death.
Davian was caught in a gunfight on San Juan Drive around 6:20 p.m., according to the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. He was rushed to a hospital but did not survive. Authorities say the shooting stemmed from an ongoing dispute between two groups in the neighborhood, according to WBRZ.
Earlier that day, Davian played basketball with friends in his neighborhood. Kayden Hodges, a 10-year-old neighbor, said he and his siblings had just finished a game when they heard gunshots. “I hear like four or five shots. That’s when I came back outside, and we saw his mother in the grass,” Hodges’ brother Kyle Pryor recalled.
Police quickly arrested 21-year-old Jeremiah Tanan Scott, 25-year-old Jeremiah Walter, 21-year-old Everett Chambers, and Hunter Calligan. Scott, Walter, and Chambers face first-degree murder charges, while Calligan was booked as a principal to first-degree murder. Deputies believe Scott fired the shot that killed Davian. Scott also had a prior weapons charge, with a bench warrant issued last year.
The shooting has left neighbors shaken. Fran Netter, who lives nearby, said, “When I received the news the baby had died, it brought tears to my eyes. I literally sat there and cried… They were just out here innocently having fun and playing basketball.”
Sheriff Sid Gautreaux called the incident “heartbreaking and senseless,” noting that it occurred where children should feel safe. District 5 Councilman Darryl Hurst pledged support for the family and urged city leaders to work on reducing neighborhood violence.
A GoFundMe was created to help the family with the funeral expenses and counseling while they navigate this difficult time. It has so far raised over $8,000.
The investigation into Davian’s death is ongoing. Officials are calling for increased safety measures and community efforts to prevent further tragedies.