On the night of January 29, 2020, in Lafayette, Louisiana, 41-year-old John Lee Hickenbottom was shot multiple times and killed in the 100 block of Edwis Street, directly in front of his home. Hickenbottom had gone outside to intervene and try to de-escalate a disturbance; he was unarmed and was described as attempting to stop a fight that had not originally involved him.

The Lafayette Police Department investigation led to the arrests of four people: 38-year-old Heidi Bergeron, 19-year-old Logan LaCroix, and two 17-year-olds, Tyler Pellerin and Drake Duyon. Bergeron and LaCroix were charged with principal to second-degree murder. One of the teens faced attempted second-degree murder and principal to second-degree murder charges, while the other was charged with second-degree murder and illegal carrying of a weapon.

Hickenbottom’s family said he was unselfish, loving, brave, and had a big heart. They expressed outrage after learning the four accused were offered plea deals and said the prospect of reduced sentences added to their pain. Does anyone have information about Hickenbottom’s life in Lafayette or the events that night that could help clarify what happened?