Donnie Ray Sam was 19 when he was found shot multiple times at close range in a vacant lot in the 900 block of Truman Street in Opelousas, Louisiana. The shooting occurred on June 18, 2014; he was known to family and friends as Deedy.

Investigators focused on a 19-year-old friend, Traylan Batiste, after DNA reportedly recovered at the scene linked him to the crime. A week after Sam’s death Batiste was taken into custody on an unrelated charge, and later a St. Landry Parish Grand Jury returned a first-degree murder indictment alleging robbery as the motive. The indictment exposed Batiste to either life without parole or the death penalty, pending a jury decision.

If anyone knew Donnie, Deedy, or saw something in Opelousas around June 18, 2014, please share what might help the investigation.