A child visitation meeting in Hammond, Louisiana, ended in fatal violence on October 18, 2022. Twenty-one-year-old Howard Watkins Jr., an African American man, had brought a female friend and her two children to meet the children’s father, 25-year-old Ajante Jackson. Jackson allegedly opened fire at the vehicle Watkins was driving. Watkins drove to his father’s nearby home on Happywoods Road but was followed by Jackson and 20-year-old Chardonay Washington.

A confrontation in the driveway turned physical and Jackson reportedly shot Watkins; Howard Watkins Sr. was also shot while trying to protect his son. Both men were taken to a local hospital, and Watkins Jr. died of his injuries. Jackson and Washington fled but were later located and taken into custody. Jackson was charged with second-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of cruelty to juveniles, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Washington was charged as a principal to second-degree murder, principal to attempted second-degree murder, and obstruction of justice.

Did anyone in the Hammond area see the events near Happywoods Road that day or have information about the lead-up to the visitation meeting?