On the evening of October 12, 2025, 18-year-old Mareya Henry, a Black woman from Opelousas, Louisiana, was killed in a shooting on the 1000 block of Hashim Street. Investigators responded to the scene, collected evidence, and spoke with witnesses as the community learned of her death.

Police identified 21-year-old Kera Vitatoe as a suspect and said Vitatoe and Henry had been in a romantic relationship. Authorities reported a prior arrest of Vitatoe for battery against Henry in another jurisdiction and issued an arrest warrant describing Vitatoe as armed and dangerous. Vitatoe later surrendered in Lake Charles and was taken into custody pending extradition to Opelousas.

A St. Landry Parish grand jury indicted Vitatoe on one count of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder; she pleaded not guilty in January 2026. Anyone with information about Mareya Henry or the case is asked to come forward.