Hammond was shaken Thursday when a deadly exchange of gunfire at the Willow Villa apartments left 26‑year‑old Javan Myers dead and four others wounded, including a young child.
It happened just before noon on Old Baton Rouge Highway. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s deputies say things started with an argument that quickly got out of hand. What began with a simple request for a ride turned into something no one expected.
Police say 30‑year‑old Marquanvius Jones pulled out a gun and started firing into a small crowd of people gathered outside. In the chaos, Myers fired back. By the time deputies arrived, Myers had been hit and later died from his injuries at a nearby hospital.
Three other adults and a 4‑year‑old boy were also struck. A 25‑year‑old man remains in serious condition. A 22‑year‑old woman and the boy were treated and released after initial care. Jones was also hit during the gunfire and taken into custody, facing murder and assault charges.
Neighbors described a terrifying scene, hearing sudden blasts where moments before there had been calm. One resident said she ran back inside her home when the first shots echoed. Another looked out a window to see someone down on the pavement.
Sheriff Gerald Sticker reminded the community that no disagreement should ever escalate to gun violence. He encouraged anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues. Local law enforcement is sifting through witness accounts to better understand what set off the confrontation that day.
Friends and family of Myers are left to grieve a life cut short. People who knew him say he was a young man with dreams and plans, now gone far too soon. The quiet of this suburban street has been replaced with questions and sorrow.
