On the morning of Friday, December 8, 2023, 28-year-old Bogalusa resident Ranshad Jefferson was shot in the Poplas Quarters neighborhood. Officers and EMS responding to the 1100 block of Ann Street found Jefferson unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene around 10:00 a.m.

Police pursued a suspect on foot through a nearby alley and arrested 20-year-old Journell Nelson, who was found in possession of a handgun. Investigators also arrested 24-year-old Gwendalyn Speights in connection with the shooting. Nelson was charged with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, illegal use of weapons, illegal carrying of weapons, and resisting an officer; Speights was charged as principal to second-degree murder and principal to attempted second-degree murder.

A Washington Parish grand jury later returned indictments on February 6, 2024, charging both Nelson and Speights with first-degree murder; Nelson was additionally indicted for illegal use of a firearm. Does anyone have information about Jefferson, his movements that morning, or the Poplas Quarters area that could help clarify what happened?