Rene Williams, a 21-year-old Black woman, was killed on April 7, 2019, in Ville Platte, Louisiana, after a routine drop-off turned violent. She went to a home in the 700 block of East Wilson Street to bring a child to Davonte Marquis Ardoin, described as her former boyfriend. Witnesses said a confrontation at the doorway escalated into gunfire; Williams was struck multiple times, ran out the back door, and was found dead in the backyard, pronounced dead at the scene.

A man who had come with her, identified as James Macias, 30, was reportedly shot five times and taken to a Lafayette hospital for surgery; he was later reported in stable condition. Officers arriving at the scene were met with additional gunfire, including a shot that struck a police vehicle. The shooter retreated into the residence, exchanged gunfire with responding officers, and surrendered shortly after 7:00 p.m.

Police identified 25-year-old Davonte Marquis Ardoin as the suspect; he was booked into the Ville Platte City Jail with reported charges including first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault on a police officer, criminal damage to property, false imprisonment with a firearm, and illegal use of a weapon or dangerous instrument, and bond was reported at $1,390,000. Did anyone in the area see the events at East Wilson Street that evening or know more about Williams’ movements that day?