“This is very disturbing, very disturbing,” Lake Charles Police Department Deputy Chief Franklin Fondel Jr. repeated before briefing the American Press on the March 20 drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of a 6-year-old child. Fondel didn’t share much about the incident. He couldn’t. The investigation was ongoing. He needed the media to get out the word, call the LCPD with any information.

On Thursday, April 8, the LCPD called a news conference to announce they had arrested 10 men and two women in connection with the fatal shooting of 6-year-old Draya Guillory.

More warrants may be issued, according to Chief Shawn Caldwell.

Caldwell recapped the incident. “About a quarter to 11, we received a call about a shooting in the 1400 block of Mill Street. Tragically, the life of Draya Guillory, a beautiful 6-year-old girl, ended there. She was sitting on the couch, watching TV in her grandmother’s home. Detectives determined she was the victim of a drive-by shooting.”

The LCPD were able to put a timeline together and find some answers. They learned of an ongoing “argument between some people.” He described them as not an organized group, not a group with a particular hierarchy.

“They identify themselves as NawfSideBabies,” he said. The shooter intended to shoot at the residence where Draya was.

Councilman Rodney Geyen called for a speedy investigation and urged residents to be vigilant in doing their part to assist further in this and all cases.

“The LCPD needs your help,” Geyen said. “This is an opportune time to get involved in getting the necessary information to the police department. If your children tip you off, please know we would certainly appreciate you giving that information to the LCPD.”

“What we can do is prosecute as aggressively as we can,” said Assistant District Attorney Jacob Johnson. “We can work hard to solve crimes, but stopping these things from happening is a front-end issue. And what I’m asking the members of this community to do is something that’s pretty unpopular today, and that is, to lead.”

Johnson said this murder was not likely this group’s first crime.

“They may not have been held accountable previously because of witnesses who will not participate, who will not talk with law enforcement and maybe that’s because of fear — or a litany of reasons.”

He said when criminals cannot be held accountable because of a lack of witnesses, they become emboldened. “Stand up, stand up for your city, stand up for your neighborhood,” he said.

Elijah Carter was arrested March 23 and charged with one count of second-degree murder, principal. Devonte Glodd; second-degree murder, accessory after the fact; Jaylyn Lamar Botley, criminal conspiracy to second-degree murder, Zylon Wheeler, second degree murder, principal; Martice Caine, obstruction of justice; Christopher Orphey, second-degree murder, principal; Keyaisa Siverand, second-degree murder, accessory after the fact; Ja’Michael Siverand, criminal conspiracy to second-degree murder; Jessie Siverand, criminal conspiracy to second-degree murder: Joshua Siverand, criminal conspiracy to second-degree murder; Jeremy Collins, second-degree murder, principal; Michael Carter, criminal conspiracy to second-degree murder.

According to a follow up call with Johnson, all the folks who were arrested have been charged and indicted. Two recent arrests have also been made.

Anthony D. Tyler Jr., 32, was arrested on Dec. 12 and charged with one count of first-degree murder.

Charges were upgraded from one count of second-degree murder to one count of first-degree murder on April 4 for Collins.