Michelle Touchet, 37, was shot and killed while walking home from a neighbor’s house in the 300 block of Sampson Avenue in Lafayette on the night of December 9, 2023. She suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene; her death was recorded as the city’s 26th homicide that year.

The Lafayette Police Department opened an immediate investigation and a few days later arrested 29-year-old Deaontrae Sampson of Lafayette. Sampson was booked on second-degree murder, illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and illegal discharge of a firearm; bond was set at $500,000. Investigators have not publicly released a motive and the investigation was described as ongoing.

If anyone saw activity on Sampson Avenue that night or has information about the shooting, contact the Lafayette Police Department.