A 15‑year‑old Javion Semien of Ville Platte, Louisiana, was fatally shot on Monday, May 4, 2026, along Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in Ville Platte, according to officials and multiple verified reports. Police responded shortly before 1 p.m. to the intersection where the shooting occurred and found Semien deceased at the scene.
Authorities confirmed that Semien was walking to football practice when gunfire erupted, striking him with fatal injuries. Witnesses and school officials stated that he was a freshman at Ville Platte High School and was active in the school’s athletics program.
The Ville Platte Police Department reported that Semien was shot with an AR‑style pistol, and investigators quickly identified a 17‑year‑old male suspect. The suspect was arrested the same day and initially booked into the Ville Platte City Jail before being transferred to the Evangeline Parish Jail.
Officials stated that the suspect is charged with second‑degree murder and is being held on a $2.5 million bond. Due to his age, authorities have not released his name. The case remains under active investigation by both the Ville Platte Police Department and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Ville Platte High School released a public statement mourning Semien, describing him as a “sweet spirit” whose smile and love for sports uplifted those around him. The school has made grief counseling available to students and staff as the community processes the sudden loss.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to contact the Ville Platte Police Department at 337‑363‑1316 as investigators continue gathering evidence to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.