Billy Dukes, 26, was fatally shot on January 12, 2016, inside an apartment in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans after a dispute escalated into a physical confrontation. The apartment belonged to the girlfriend of Jerome Man Man Lavigne, who was Dukes’ cousin. An argument between Dukes and the girlfriend led her to call Lavigne, and a struggle between Lavigne and Dukes ended with a handgun discharged; the weapon belonged to Lavigne and was not recovered.

Lavigne told police Dukes gained control of the gun during the fight and that he fired in self-defense. He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice for disposing of the firearm. His trial began in April 2018 and, after about three hours of deliberation, the jury acquitted him of all charges.

Anyone who knew Billy, was in the Gentilly area on January 12, 2016, or has information about the incident is asked to come forward.