LaTaurus Smith was a 16-year-old junior at Zachary High School described by family as well-mannered and someone who enjoyed video games and basketball. On the night of Saturday, December 2, 2023, he attended a Big Bonfire Party on West Port Hudson Plains Road in Zachary, Louisiana; police say gunfire erupted about 8:20 p.m. and Smith was fatally wounded. Deputies from the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office found him unresponsive and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other people were shot and several others suffered minor injuries as attendees fled.

Authorities arrested 32-year-old Lamar Hall of Baton Rouge in the early morning hours of December 3, 2023; he was charged with principal to first-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon. Detectives report Hall admitted firing his weapon and described a large shoot-out with other unknown individuals. The Sheriff’s Office says other unidentified suspects were also detained as the investigation continues.

Did anyone at the event or in the area that night see what led to the shooting or recognize any of the people involved?