Jonathan Neal Bernard was 20 when he was shot on North 1st Avenue in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on the evening of July 13, 2025. He was taken to a local hospital but died of his injuries. Bernard was a native of Lake Charles, an alumnus of Washington-Marion High School, and is described as a quiet young man and a devoted father to his son Ja’Kaie Nazier Bernard.

Within days the shooting was investigated as a homicide. Five days after the killing, police arrested a teenager identified as Carlos Heard and charged him with second-degree murder in connection with Bernard’s death. The case moved into the criminal-justice process following that arrest.

If anyone knew Jonathan, was in the area of North 1st Avenue on July 13, 2025, or has information about the shooting, please share what is known with investigators.