Clinton Sutherland Jr., 75, known as Butch, was killed in Vacherie, Louisiana, on January 1, 2024, when authorities say a stray bullet from celebratory gunfire struck him just minutes into the new year. A native of Saint James, he was a retired sandblaster/painter and truck driver who had been married to the late Elaine Jones-Sutherland and raised four children. He enjoyed cooking, gardening, fishing, hunting and visiting with neighbors from his porch.

The death has been described as an accidental shooting resulting from reckless celebratory fire. No arrests or publicly identified suspects have been reported and the investigation has not produced information identifying who fired the fatal shot. If anyone knew Mr. Sutherland or has information about the shooting, please come forward.