LA Teen Joseph Appiah Arrested In Friday Gonzales Double-Fatal Shooting, Victims ID’d

GONZALES, LA. (THECOUNT) — Joseph Appiah, 17, of Prairieville, Louisiana, has been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with a Friday shooting that killed two people in Gonzales, according to the Gonzales Police Department. The victims were identified as Tegan Daigle, 17, and Jared Downey, 21. Both were killed in the shooting.

Gonzales is located in Ascension Parish in southeastern Louisiana, between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Police responded to the fatal shooting Friday afternoon in the city.

Officers were dispatched to E. Caldwell Street near N. Frances Avenue at approximately 4 p.m. on Friday, August 21, where they found two shooting victims, according to authorities.

Appiah is also charged with criminal conspiracy, eight counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, discharging firearms within city limits, and manufacture, distribution or possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance, police said.

Investigators identified two additional persons of interest during the investigation. Police said interviews are being conducted to determine their involvement in the shooting and whether additional charges are warranted.

According to the Gonzales Police Department, illegal drug activity played a role in the deadly gunfire. Authorities did not provide additional details about the alleged drug activity or how it was connected to the shooting.

Gonzales Police Chief Sherman Jackson described the deaths as a significant loss for the families involved and said the investigation also involves determining the circumstances surrounding the actions of the people connected to the case.

Appiah remains accused in the case, and the charges are allegations. The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing to conduct interviews and examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

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