Derrick James Thornton was a 43-year-old Lake Charles, Louisiana, artist, author, poet and community activist whose work included the Gulf Coast Mural Project and earned recognition from the city’s mayor. Thornton was found dead from gunshot injuries in the 1500 block of O’Brien Street in the early morning hours of February 18, 2023. His death was investigated as a homicide by the Lake Charles Police Department.

Investigators made a rapid series of arrests. On March 1, 2023, a 16-year-old was taken into custody in the 500 block of South Goos Street and charged with first-degree murder and held at a juvenile detention center. Soon afterward four more juveniles — three 16-year-olds and one 17-year-old — were also arrested and each charged with one count of first-degree murder, bringing the total to five suspects. The investigation remains ongoing as the city mourns Thornton’s loss.

If anyone knew Derrick Thornton or has information about what happened on O’Brien Street that night, please come forward with tips or memories.