A tragedy in Hammond, Louisiana ended the life of 13-year-old Dereon Reed on July 8, 2023. Dereon, a student at Lucille Nesom Memorial School, died inside a residence on Willow Street from a single gunshot wound. Responding officers found that the shooting occurred when a 14-year-old male was handling a firearm and it discharged, fatally wounding Dereon.

The 14-year-old was taken into custody and booked into the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center on a charge of negligent homicide; authorities have described the shooting as accidental. Dereon was remembered by family and friends as a vibrant young girl who played basketball, enjoyed riding four-wheelers, and spent time with friends. Classmates, family and community members held a balloon release, and the school provided counselors and social workers to support students and staff.

Did anyone in the community know Dereon or witness events that day and have information to share?