New Llano, LA (3/23/2023) – Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office (VPSO) reported the arrests of two men on March 17, 2023. Daulton Michael Andrews, 26, of Leesville, and Miguel Zarate Guajardo Jr., 18, of DeRidder, for a shooting that took place at a local convenience store in New Llano on March 7, 2023.
At approximately 9:49 p.m., the New Llano Police Department (NLPD), Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office (VPSO), and Leesville Police Department (LPD)responded to a report of gunfire at a convenience store in New Llano. Upon arrival, Officers learned that a male subject, later identified as Joseph Smith of Opelousas, had fled the scene and was located at a hotel near the convenience store.
An officer spoke with the Smith and observed that he had suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his head and leg. The victim was transported to a Rapides Parish Medical Facility and was released later that night.
VPSO Detectives reviewed surveillance video of the incident. Detectives observed that at least six people in two separate vehicles were involved in the incident. VPSO Patrol Deputies located the damaged vehicle at an apartment complex in Rosepine. Deputies also located the uninjured male subject, later identified as Jalyn Thurman, who had fled the gunman on foot during the incident. Thurman’s vehicle had a least one dozen bullet holes in the back upper quarter panel.
Detectives identified all six persons involved in the incident. Daulton Andrews was identified as the shooter, while Miguel Guajardo Jr. was identified as an occupant of the vehicle.
Through further investigation, Detectives learned that Smith, Thurman, and the male juvenile had driven to the convenience store to meet with Andrews and Guajardo Jr. to purchase illegal narcotics. During the course of the drug deal, Thurman grabbed the narcotics, and both Thurman and Smith fled Andrew’s vehicle. At that time, Andrews exited his vehicle and fired over a dozen shots at the two fleeing males striking their vehicle numerous times.
The juvenile driver of Thurman’s car fled the parking lot in the car, leaving both Thurman and Smith on foot in the area. Smith entered into the local hotel while Thurman continued South on foot and was later picked up and taken to Rosepine, where VPSO Patrol Deputies located him.
One 17-year-old male juvenile from DeRidder, the driver of Thurman’s vehicle, has been arrested and charged with one count of Principal to the Distribution of a Schedule I Narcotic, one count of Criminal Conspiracy, and one count of Principal to Simple Robbery.
VPSO Detectives worked in conjunction with the US Marshal’s Service to locate Daulton Andrews and Miguel Guajardo Jr. at a residence in Joplin, Missouri. Deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in Missouri canvassed an area East of the city of Joplin and located both Andrews and Guajardo Jr. at a residence, and their vehicle concealed behind that residence.
The men were taken into custody without incident and await extradition back to Vernon Parish on charges of Attempted First Degree Murder, Criminal Conspiracy, and Distribution of a Schedule I Narcotic. Warrants have been issued for Jalyn Thurman and Joseph Smith for Simple Robbery, Distribution of a Schedule I Narcotic, and Criminal Conspiracy.
The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office asks that anyone with any information relating to the whereabouts of Thurman and Smith contact VPSO at 337-238-1311.
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A law enforcement-related agency has provided this information as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal “All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.” or arrested and charged with a crime have not been convicted of any criminal offense. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
