Crime
Deondra Thomas, 24, Killed in Ville Platte Shooting; No Suspect Arrested
VILLE PLATTE, La. — Deondra Thomas, 24, of Texas, died after a shooting near Ville Platte High School during homecoming festivities on Friday, October 16, 2026. The gunfire also injured two other people, according to police.
The Ville Platte Police Department is investigating the shooting. Authorities have not announced any arrests or publicly identified a suspect.
Police received reports of gunfire at approximately 7:48 p.m. near the intersection of Harvey LeBas Street and Edward Knotoe Thomas Jr. Street.
Investigators reported that someone fired five shots in the area. The shooting occurred as homecoming festivities brought people together near the school.
The gunfire left three people injured, including Thomas. Emergency responders transported two victims to nearby hospitals for treatment. Thomas later died from his injuries.
The Ville Platte Police Department has not announced an arrest in connection with the shooting. Investigators have also not released information identifying a suspect or explaining what led to the gunfirDeondra Thomas, 24, Killed in Ville Platte Shooting; No Suspect Arrestede.
Authorities have not provided further details about the two surviving victims or their current conditions.
The investigation remains ongoing as police work to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Officials may release additional information as it becomes available.
ROCKFORD, Ill. — Daniel Gracia, 12, died after a truck struck his bicycle in Rockford on Tuesday evening, October 20, 2026. Police have charged the truck driver, 61-year-old Brian Knittel, in connection with the fatal crash.
Rockford police responded to the 900 block of 11th Street at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Officers arrived after receiving reports of a collision involving a truck and a young bicyclist.
Gracia suffered fatal injuries in the crash. Authorities have not provided further details about how the collision occurred.
Knittel, a Rockford resident, faces several charges related to the incident. These include reckless homicide, aggravated driving under the influence of drugs, two counts of aggravated driving under the influence, and additional traffic offenses.
Following his arrest, authorities took Knittel to the Winnebago County Jail.
During Knittel’s initial court appearance, a judge granted the state’s request to deny him pretrial release. He is scheduled to return to court on December 17, 2026.
The case remains pending as the legal process continues. The charges represent allegations, and Knittel is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.