Authorities in Livingston Parish have arrested three individuals in connection with the fatal shooting of Mitchell Ventress, 26, of Denham Springs. The shocking incident, which took place in a public parking lot, has left the community stunned and searching for answers about what led to the deadly encounter.
According to the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called around 7:00 p.m. on March 18, 2026, to a McDonald’s located along Highway 16 in Watson. When they arrived, they found Ventress sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle with an apparent gunshot wound. Despite emergency response efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses at the location told investigators they heard a gunshot and then saw two males exit from the passenger side of the vehicle. The suspects quickly fled the area, creating panic among bystanders and prompting a swift and coordinated investigation by law enforcement agencies.
Using investigative tools and leads, authorities later identified a suspect vehicle, which was located in the Central area of East Baton Rouge Parish. Two individuals, Kevonta Dennis, 25, and Keondra McNeely, 26, both of Baton Rouge, were taken into custody without incident. Detectives later identified a third suspect, Keedrick Jack, 39, who was also arrested.
Investigators believe the deadly shooting stemmed from a planned meeting involving narcotics. According to authorities, Dennis and Jack allegedly arranged to meet Ventress in the McDonald’s parking lot to purchase drugs. During that meeting, under circumstances that are still unclear, Ventress was shot and killed, turning what may have been a transaction into a fatal confrontation.
All three suspects are currently in custody and are expected to be transferred to the Livingston Parish Detention Center for processing. Officials stress that the investigation remains ongoing, and additional information may be released as it becomes available. Meanwhile, the community continues to mourn the loss of Mitchell Ventress, as authorities work to ensure justice is served.
