Cheneyville, La. — The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a second wave of arrests tied to the June 6, 2025 shooting near Cheneyville Town Hall, which left five people injured during what witnesses described as a gathering of remembrance.
Over the past two months, detectives with RPSO continued investigating the case and have now positively identified a second group of individuals allegedly involved in the gunfire. This follows an earlier set of arrests announced in June.
Warrants were obtained for six suspects, including a 16-year-old juvenile, after detectives established significant probable cause. All were taken into custody over the past two weeks without incident, thanks to coordinated operations by RPSO SWAT, RADE, the Crime Suppression Unit, and the U.S. Marshals Violent Offender Task Force (which includes RPSO deputies as Task Force Officers).
The five adult suspects were booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center, while the juvenile was placed in the Renaissance Home for Youth.
Arrestees and Charges:
- Xavier Jauvon Wright, 22, Glenmora
Charges: 6 counts Attempted Second Degree Murder, Criminal Conspiracy
Bond: $3,050,000 - Bernard Ellis III, 19, Alexandria
Charges: 6 counts Attempted Second Degree Murder, Criminal Conspiracy, Contempt of Court (9th JDC – June 13)
Bond: $3,052,500 - J’Marion Williams, 21, Alexandria
Charges: 6 counts Attempted Second Degree Murder, Criminal Conspiracy
Bond: $3,050,000 - Tavarious Demond Thomas, 20, Alexandria
Charges: 6 counts Attempted Second Degree Murder, Criminal Conspiracy
Bond: $3,050,000 - Isaiah Burns, 17, Alexandria
Charges: 6 counts Attempted Second Degree Murder, Criminal Conspiracy
Bond: $3,050,000 - Un-named Juvenile, 16
Charges: 6 counts Attempted Second Degree Murder
Held at the Renaissance Home for Youth
This brings the total number of individuals arrested in the Cheneyville shooting investigation to more than a dozen. Authorities say additional arrests are still possible.
Ongoing Investigation
Sheriff’s Detectives emphasized that the investigation remains active and urged anyone with more information to come forward. Community members can contact:
- Detective John Deville or Detective Joseph Spence, Criminal Investigations Division: (318) 473-6727
- RPSO Main Office: (318) 473-6700
- Crime Stoppers (anonymous): (318) 443-7867
“All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law or administrative action.”
Sheriff Mark Wood credited the Detectives, Crime Scene Unit, SWAT, and partner agencies for their persistence and professionalism in bringing these suspects into custody.
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