2012 Homicide Rate in Lafayette, Not Out of the Ordinary

Posted: Sep 17, 2012 5:35 PM by Jenise Fernandez
Updated: Sep 17, 2012 5:51 PM

Lately-- it might seem we've reported on a high number of murders in Lafayette. You might be under the impression there's an increase in violent crimes, but police officials say the homicide rate this year, is nothing out of the ordinary.

Cpl. Paul Mouton says on average, the number of homicides each year in Lafayette is between 8 and 12. So far this year, there's been10 homicides.Last year, there were only six. In 2010 though, there were 12.

"We do still have three months in the year we do hope there are no more homicides and this is the final number," said Mouton.

Mouton says out of the 10 homicides this year, two are unsolved, but police are still working on leads. He says, most crimes do get solved because the victim knows their perpetrator and they're not random acts.

"Obviously the Shunick case is the exception, but the majority of the time, they have a dealing with a known acquaintance," he said.

"We do try to have quick resolutions to any homicide," said LPSO spokesperson Captain Kip Judice.

Judice says four homicides have occurred in unincorporated areas of the parish, which isn't unusual. He says overall, Lafayette is still a safe place to live, but he urges the public to keep up their guard.

"A lot of people say Lafayette is a Mayberry town, but we want people to be aware this is not Mayberry there are big city problems," he added.

Within Lafayete city limits there are two unsolved murders this year, and two outside the city in the unincorporated areas of the parish. The unsolved murders include:

In March of this year, Russell Lambert was stabbed to death near the Moss Street Post Office.
In May, Ray Ryan was shot to death on Marigny circle.
Last month, Ivan Landry was shot to death and found at Acme Refrigeration on Monroe Street.
Also last month, Clement Amos III was shot while trying to help a neighbor on Hummingbird Lane.