Alexandria, LA (6/21/2024) – The Alexandria Police Department (APD) has made an arrest in connection with the double homicide that occurred on Simmons Street. Rentis Austin, 46, of Alexandria, Louisiana, was taken into custody on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Austin faces charges of two counts of Second Degree Murder and probation/parole violations.
The victims have been identified as Jeremy Swafford, 38, of Alexandria, and Ronald Landry, 55, of Boyce, Louisiana. The tragic incident took place on June 19, 2024, in the 2000 block of Simmons Street.
Authorities have not yet disclosed whether the murders were isolated incidents or part of a broader trend. The investigation is ongoing, and APD is actively seeking information from the public.
Anyone with information about this incident or other crimes in the Alexandria area is urged to contact the Alexandria Police Detective Division at (318) 441-6416, or APD Dispatch at (318) 441-6559. Tips can also be emailed to detectives at [email protected].
For those preferring to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers of CenLa offers a cash reward for tips leading to an arrest. Call (318) 443-7867 or use the Crime Stoppers P3 Tipster App, available for download at www.p3tips.com/community/mobile.