A sheriff’s deputy from St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, was tragically killed in a shooting on Thanksgiving Day, with authorities identifying his own brother as the shooter. Deputy Shaquille Guerin, 35, was fatally wounded by his sibling, 32-year-old Darius Guerin, in a shocking and heartbreaking turn of events that unfolded on the evening of Thursday, November 23, 2023.
According to the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, the shooting occurred shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Marigold Lane, a residential street in the unincorporated area of the parish. Deputies arrived at the scene to find Deputy Shaquille Guerin lying in the street, suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Despite the efforts of emergency medical crews and fellow officers to save his life, Deputy Guerin was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto confirmed that Darius Guerin was identified as the suspected shooter. However, after the incident, Darius fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. Authorities quickly initiated a search for him, and he was later apprehended following a brief pursuit. Darius Guerin attempted to evade capture when deputies tried to conduct a traffic stop, eventually fleeing on foot. A gun was recovered along the path where he ran, further linking him to the crime.
The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation, but it has shocked both the law enforcement community and the local residents. Deputy Shaquille Guerin had worked with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office for eight years, during which time he earned a reputation as a dedicated and hardworking officer. He had been assigned to the uniform patrol division and also worked in the detective bureau.
Sheriff Michael Tregre of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office expressed deep sorrow over the loss of his deputy, describing Shaquille Guerin as a model public servant. “Shaquille did his job well. He had the heart of a public servant,” Sheriff Tregre said. “He carried and showed positivity as an employee for the St. John Sheriff’s Office and teammate to his coworkers.” Fellow officers and community members have also expressed their shock and grief, remembering Deputy Guerin as a beloved figure in both his professional and personal life.
Deputy Guerin leaves behind his wife and three children. The tragic shooting has cast a pall over what is typically a joyful holiday, with the local community now mourning the loss of a dedicated officer and father.
Darius Guerin, the suspect in the killing, is now facing charges of second-degree murder. Authorities have not yet released additional details about the relationship between the brothers or what may have led to the fatal confrontation. The case is still under investigation, and law enforcement officials have assured the public that further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
This tragic event highlights the emotional toll that law enforcement officers and their families face, as well as the unpredictability of domestic disputes that can escalate into violence. As the community comes to terms with this devastating loss, the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to honor the memory of Deputy Shaquille Guerin, a dedicated servant of the public who lost his life far too soon.