First two Lafayette homicides of 2018 happen less than a mile fr - KATC.com | Continuous News Coverage | Acadiana-Lafayette

First two Lafayette homicides of 2018 happen less than a mile from each other

When Lafayette police discovered the body of Justin Zeno inside a burning car early Friday morning on Belleau Street, officers say Zeno had also been shot.

The homicide happened a block away from a deadly stabbing that occurred last week. Deshawn Black-Hawk lives on Iantha Street just a few doors down from where the stabbing took place.

Black-Hawk’s friend, 17-year-old Javian Williams, had been stabbed to death by Williams’ stepdad.

“It was over a fight, you know, a fight lead where a friend of ours got stabbed to death. Right here, you can see some of the leftovers of the blood spilled, but it’s all dried up now,” explained Black-Hawk as he gestured to the stained concrete in front of the makeshift memorial friends had made for Williams.  

On early Friday morning, as Black-Hawk was walking home from a nearby convenience store, he saw the aftermath of another homicide.

“I could even see the lights, not on this street, but on the street next to my street,” said Black-Hawk. 

While Lafayette’s first two homicides of 2018 happened so close to Black-Hawk’s home, he says he’s trying to stay positive. He’s also urging neighbors to do the same.

“It’s okay to grieve, but when it’s time to be outside and be around other people, and you want to actually try to move forward and do right from the situation because you feel bad, do positive; think positive from the situation. Focus on the good,” edified Black-Hawk