Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives have arrested a Grant Parish man in connection with the shooting death of a Montgomery woman in Campti, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
Dalton Exavier Michiels, 18, of Bentley, Louisiana, was booked into the LaSalle Corrections/Natchitoches Detention Center on Tuesday evening, August 4, at approximately 7:58 p.m., less than 24 hours after the investigation began. He has been charged with First Degree Murder in connection with the shooting death of 27-year-old Jasmine M. Smith of Montgomery, Louisiana.
Michiels was taken into custody without incident Tuesday afternoon at a mobile home park in the 7900 block of Louisiana Highway 9 near Campti after detectives received a reliable tip regarding his whereabouts.
Detectives executed a search warrant, signed by a Tenth Judicial District Court judge, at the location, recovering the suspected murder weapon, a handgun, along with additional evidence believed to be connected to the investigation.
The investigation began Monday evening, August 3, at approximately 8:44 p.m., when deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau were dispatched by the NATCOM 911 Center to a reported medical emergency involving a vehicle traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 71 near Clarence. The caller advised that a passenger had been shot in the Campti area and was being transported for medical treatment.
NPSO deputies intercepted the vehicle on U.S. Highway 71 in Clarence and found Smith suffering from a gunshot wound to the thigh. Deputies immediately rendered emergency medical aid by applying a tourniquet until Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS and Pafford Air One arrived.
Smith was transported by ambulance to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center before being airlifted to a regional trauma center for advanced treatment.
Additional deputies responded to the Campti area in an attempt to locate the crime scene while five detectives assigned to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau were called out to assist with the investigation according to Major J. Byles, with the Criminal Investigations Bureau.
Detectives determined the shooting occurred on Adkins Street in Campti.
Investigators worked throughout the night and into the early morning hours processing the crime scene, collecting evidence, conducting interviews, and pursuing investigative leads. Three search warrants, signed by a district judge, were executed during the course of the investigation.
On Tuesday afternoon, Natchitoches Parish Coroner Steven Clanton notified detectives that Smith succumbed to her injuries at 12:48 p.m. at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria.
Detectives continued interviewing witnesses, following up on leads, and acting on reliable information provided by the public, which ultimately led to Michiels’ arrest.
On Wednesday morning, NPSO detectives traveled to Shreveport to attend and witness Smith’s autopsy, which will ultimately determine the official manner and cause of death.
At this time, detectives are not releasing a motive for the shooting in order to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
“This arrest is the direct result of the outstanding work and determination of our deputies and detectives who worked tirelessly from the moment this investigation began,” said Sheriff Stuart Wright. “I want to commend every member of our team for their professionalism and dedication in bringing this case together in less than 24 hours. I also want to sincerely thank the members of our community who came forward with valuable information. Your willingness to speak up made a difference. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Jasmine Smith as they grieve this heartbreaking loss. While an arrest has been made, this remains an active investigation, and we remain committed to seeking justice for the victim and her loved ones.”
Detectives ask anyone with additional information that may assist in the investigation to contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau at 318-357-7830.
Case agent is Detective Sgt. Eric Mogridge, assisted by Detective Lt. J. Kilpatrick.
Assisting agencies include the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau, NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau, NPSO High Tech Crime Unit, Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office, Natchitoches Parish District Attorney’s Office, Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office.