ABBEVILLE, LA — A shooting on Monday night in Abbeville left one man dead and another seriously injured, with the suspect still at large. The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on the 1600 block of Martin Luther King Drive, according to the Abbeville Police Department.
Officers responded to the scene after receiving reports of the shooting. While en route, they encountered a vehicle with emergency flashers, which was rushing one of the victims to Abbeville General Hospital. A second victim was also transported to the same hospital.
The first victim, identified as Jarrion “Nu Glizzy” Bernard, a 20-year-old resident of Abbeville, sustained three gunshot wounds—one to each shoulder and one to his right wrist. Bernard was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital, at 8:52 p.m.
The second victim, Johntrell Rice, 26, also of Abbeville, was shot in the chest and left shoulder. Rice was later transferred to Ochsner’s Lafayette General Hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition.
According to information gathered at the scene, a large group was engaged in a dice game under the pavilion at Herod Village Apartments when one of the participants, allegedly D’Jacqney “Poppy” Mitchell, 20, pulled out a firearm that had been illegally modified to operate as a fully automatic weapon. He then fired multiple rounds, striking both Bernard and Rice.
Mitchell, who remains at large, is wanted on charges of murder and attempted murder. The Abbeville Police Department has issued warrants for his arrest.
Chief Mike Hardy of the Abbeville Police Department expressed gratitude to those who have assisted in the investigation thus far and urged anyone with further information to come forward. Tips can be provided anonymously by calling the Abbeville Police Department at (337) 893-2511, the department’s “Tips” line at (337) 892-6777, or through Crime Stoppers of Vermilion at (337) 740-TIPS.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident.
All individuals named in connection with this case are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
