Walking to justice

On Friday, the family of DeJuan Guillory spoke out for the first time publicly at a walk for justice held in Guillory’s name.
Guillory was shot and killed by an Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Deputy on in the early morning hours of July 6, 2017.
While many questions still linger about what happened on the gravel road near Mamou where the incident occurred, the family feels certain that justice will only be served if the deputy who shot Guillory is “convicted and sentenced to the fullest extent of the law,” said Guillory’s mother Monica Fontenot during the gathering.
The walk, which was organized by the family along with help from Arthur Sampson, was held in Ville Platte.
Family and friends of Guillory marched from Harvey Lebas Drive to W. Cotton Street, and then to Calcasieu Street. The group then continued onto Magnolia Street before stopping on Court Street in front of the Evangeline Parish Courthouse.
While in front of the courthouse, gatherers heard from Guillory’s mother and step mother, who described the pain their family now endures since the lost of their son.
During the walk, Guillory’s mother said, “Our lives have been changed forever. Our son was shot and killed by the hands of Deputy LaFleur with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office.
“His life was taken unjustly and violently, with no regard.”
For these actions, Fontenot, who is a former law enforcement officer herself, said, “We want justice for our son DeJuan. We will not stop until Deputy LaFleur is convicted and sentenced to the fullest extent of the law.”
Guillory’s stepmother, Paedra Andrus also spoke during the gathering on July 28th.
An emotional Andrus said, “A lot has changed since July 6th.
“We are dealing with a lot of pain and questions, but what has not changed is our love for DeJuan and our faith in God.”
Like Fontenot, Andrus stressed their desire to see justice served.
Andrus said, “Sometimes we are in a place where everything seems to be going according to plan and then out of no where you are blind sided. Hit with a tragedy that literally rocks your world, and maybe even makes you question your faith.
“July 6th was that day for us. But, our faith in God is even stronger than before. Without the lord, our loss would be unbearable. DeJuan’s death will not be in vain. We want justice. Justice for DeJuan and justice for the lives that were wrongly taken before him.”
There were allegations made that Guillory was shot five times in the back during the gathering on Friday. However, that information has never been confirmed by Louisiana State Police.
What has been confirmed by State Police however, is that the shooting occurred after the deputy made a traffic stop on a four-wheeler that was being driven by Guillory.
According to State Police, during the deputy and Guillory’s initial interaction, “Guillory struck the deputy in the head, knocking him to the ground, dazing him with a possible loss of consciousness.”
State police say that the “deputy was able to rise to his feet, draw his firearm and gave verbal commands for Guillory to lie on the ground.”
According to police, “Guillory laid down on his stomach and the Deputy attempted to handcuff Guillory.”
While attempting to handcuff Guillory, “a struggle ensued .”
State police say, Dequince Brown, who was the passenger on the ATV, then “approached the deputy form behind and began to choke and bite him.”
During the struggle with both Dequince and Guillory, “the deputy shot Guillory with his duty weapon.”
State police say that “evidence from the crime scene indicates that a handcuff was only applied to Guillory’s right arm,” and “the handcuff was significantly damaged and had to be cut off post autopsy.”
They also say that “it should be noted that the patrol vehicle was equipped with an in-car camera system, which state police has in its possession and will be conducting analysis of the device.”
Brown was arrested following the incident and charged with attempted first degree murder of a police officer.
She was however released from jail five days after the incident on a $75,000.00 bond.