Gaven Demeritt was 22 when he was fatally shot in Sulphur, Louisiana, on the night of December 6, 2024. Deputies arrived around 11:30 p.m. to find him suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest; despite life-saving efforts he was pronounced dead shortly afterward. He was remembered by family as calm, loyal, and fond of the outdoors, belt buckles and cowboy hats, with plans to join the Armed Forces.

The shooting occurred during a gathering of four people in a room on Michael Lane. Witnesses said Gaven had been jokingly handling a revolver and handed it to a 16-year-old juvenile who reportedly believed the gun was unloaded. The juvenile pulled the trigger and the weapon discharged, striking Gaven. Investigators say another attendee, 20-year-old Gage McMichael, then removed two firearms, including the involved revolver, and hid them in an outdoor shed and is accused of removing a casing from the scene.

The next day the juvenile was booked into the Juvenile Detention Center on charges of negligent homicide and possession of a firearm by a juvenile; McMichael was booked into the Calcasieu Correction Center on a charge of obstruction of justice. Services for Gaven were held the following week. If anyone at the gathering or nearby that night has information, please come forward.