Two Suspects From Louisiana Arrested and Authorities Seeking Two More in Connection with Shooting During Drug Deal in Vernon Parish

Vernon Parish, Louisiana - Two suspects from Louisiana have been arrested and authorities are seeking two more in connection with a shooting during a drug deal in Vernon Parish.

Daulton Michael Andrews, 26, of Leesville, Louisiana, and Miguel Zarate Guajardo Jr., 18, of DeRidder, Louisiana, were arrested on March 17, 2023, according to Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office (VPSO).

The arrests are the result of an investigation into a shooting that occurred on March 7, 2023, at a local convenience store in New Llano, Louisiana.

The New Llano Police Department, Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office, and Leesville Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at a convenience store in New Llano at 9:49 p.m.
Police arrived to find that a male individual later identified as Joseph Smith of Opelousas had fled the scene and was staying at a hotel near the convenience store.
An officer approached Smith and discovered that he had a 'non-life threatening' gunshot wound to his head and leg. The victim was taken to a Rapides Parish Medical Facility and was released that evening.

When VPSO detectives arrived at the scene, they saw security video of the incident. At least six people were involved in the event, according to detectives, who witnessed them in two distinct automobiles.

VPSO Patrol Deputies spotted the damaged vehicle at an apartment complex in Rosepine, Louisiana, during the investigation. Authorities also found an unharmed male individual, later identified as Jalyn Thurman, who had escaped on foot from the gunman during the incident.

According to authorities, Thurman's vehicle had at least a dozen bullet holes in the upper back quarter panel.

All six people involved in the event have been identified by detectives. Daulton Andrews was recognized as the gunman, while Miguel Guajardo Jr. was identified as a vehicle occupant.
Investigators discovered that Smith, Thurman, and the male juvenile had traveled to the convenience store to meet with Andrews and Guajardo Jr. to buy illegal narcotics. Thurman took the narcotics during the drug deal, and both Thurman and Smith fled Andrew's vehicle. Andrews then exited his automobile and allegedly began firing over a dozen shots at the two fleeing individuals, striking their vehicle multiple times.

Thurman's car's juvenile driver exited the parking lot, leaving Thurman and Smith on foot in the vicinity. Smith entered a nearby hotel, but Thurman went south on foot, where he was subsequently taken into custody and transported to Rosepine by VPSO Patrol Deputies.

The driver of Thurman's vehicle, a 17-year-old male juvenile from DeRidder, Louisiana has been arrested and charged with one count of Principle to the Distribution of a Schedule I Narcotic, one count of Criminal Conspiracy, and one count of Principal to Simple Robbery.

Daulton Andrews and Miguel Guajardo Jr. were located at a residence in Joplin, Missouri, by VPSO Detectives working in collaboration with the US Marshals Service.
Deputies from the Jackson County Missouri Sheriff's Office combed an area east of Joplin and found Andrews and Guajardo Jr. in a property, as well as their vehicle hidden behind that residence.

The males were apprehended without incident and are awaiting extradition back to Vernon Parish on accusations of Attempted First Degree Murder, Criminal Conspiracy, and Distribution of a Schedule I Narcotic.

Jalyn Thurman and Joseph Smith have been charged with Simple Robbery, Distribution of a Schedule I Narcotic, and Criminal Conspiracy.

Authorities are asking anyone with information on Thurman and Smith's whereabouts to call the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office at 337-238-1311.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.