On the night of May 31, 1974, 31-year-old taxi driver John W. Doucet was killed while working in Lafayette, Louisiana. Doucet, a native of Church Point, had been dispatched to pick up three passengers who intended to rob the cab. The trio led him to a secluded spot, and 14-year-old Dalton Prejean—armed with a gun provided by one of the other passengers—fired two shots after believing Doucet was reaching for a weapon. Doucet died at the scene.

Authorities arrested Dalton Prejean in June 1974; he confessed to the killing and described the robbery plan. Prejean had prior juvenile commitments for burglary, theft, and possession of firearms and had recently been released on probation to his mother after escaping a residential program. The killing raised questions about juvenile delinquency and recidivism in the case’s community.

If anyone knew John Doucet or has information about that night, please share what you know.