Six-year-old Davonta DJ Michel Jr. died on the evening of February 22, 2023, after a single gunshot wound inside a residence in the 2000 block of LA Highway 182 in Raceland, Louisiana. Davonta and his six-year-old brother found a loaded handgun in a bedroom while playing; the weapon discharged and struck Davonta. A 911 call came in at about 7:45 p.m.; first responders performed CPR and he was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The boys were reportedly in the care of their grandparents at the time. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office determined the handgun had been unsecured in the bedroom of the children’s father, 24-year-old Davonta Michel Sr. An arrest warrant was issued, and on March 27, 2023, Michel Sr. surrendered and was charged with negligent homicide; bail was set at $200,000. The community and Lockport Lower Elementary School were offered counseling, and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services became involved.

Did anyone in the Raceland area see or have information about where the firearm was kept before the shooting?