Crime
Gabriel Williams accused of destroying evidence in deaths of Dahlen Semar and Madison Guillory in Lake Charles
The coroner will determine cause of death.
Lake Charles, LA – Last night, November 12, at approximately 8:00 p.m. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a welfare check at a residence on Topsy Road in Lake Charles after a caller advised there was a possible ongoing hostage situation.
When deputies arrived, they attempted to make entry into the residence at which time they heard a gunshot.
CPSO ACT-Team responded and after clearing the residence deputies located two deceased females, Dahlen Semar, 23, and Madison Guillory, 23, both of Lake Charles.
After further investigation, detectives learned the complainant, Gabriel B. Williams, 24, Lake Charles, provided false and misleading information to deputies.
Detectives also learned after Williams contacted law enforcement he immediately attempted to destroy possible evidence in the case.
He was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with obstruction of justice; and failure to report certain felonies.
His bond is pending.
“The investigation is currently ongoing, and we are talking with family members and friends of both parties. We believe this is an isolated incident and I want to take this time to remind everyone in our community that help is available for those who may be experiencing hard times. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support. You can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by texting or calling 988,” stated Sheriff Stitch Guillory.
The coroner will determine cause of death.
CPSO Detective Alex Zaunbrecher is the lead investigator on this case.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
*To clarify at this time we don’t have any information to lead us to believe Williams had any first hand involvement with the deaths themselves.
Crime
Eric Bechtolt Killed After Shooting at Florence Tower in Omaha, Suspect Billy Dorrall Arrested
Omaha, NE – On Sunday evening, Omaha Police Department officers responded to an active shooting at Florence Tower, located at 5100 Florence Blvd, following multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire inside the building.
The first reports were received at 6:05 p.m., with at least three separate callers stating they had heard shots fired on the fifth or sixth floor of the apartment complex.
By 6:14 p.m., a fourth caller reported seeing a male suspect walking on the sixth floor carrying two handguns.
Uniform Patrol officers arrived on scene at 6:11 p.m. and began a floor-by-floor search of the building, starting from the fifth floor.
As officers ascended the south stairwell toward the sixth floor, they heard sounds of a disturbance.
Just as they neared the sixth-floor door, it was abruptly opened by a male suspect — later identified as 50-year-old Billy A. Dorrall.
At that moment, one officer discharged their service weapon, striking Dorrall in the left hip.
In response, Dorrall fired back down the stairwell and then retreated into the sixth-floor hallway.
Once back in the hallway, Dorrall reportedly fired multiple rounds, aiming both up and down the corridor, and threatened several residents at gunpoint.
A coordinated arrest team, equipped with a ballistic shield, moved into position while officers in the stairwell maintained containment. As they prepared to enter the hallway, officers heard additional gunfire.
The arrest team entered the hallway, issued loud verbal commands, and Dorrall surrendered without further incident.
He was immediately provided medical treatment by Omaha Fire Department personnel and transported to Nebraska Medicine, where he was treated for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. He has since been released into police custody.
During the investigation, officers recovered surveillance footage from building cameras, which was provided by the Omaha Housing Authority.
The footage shows Dorrall behaving erratically and confronting residents before engaging in a verbal altercation with another tenant, identified as 45-year-old Eric M. Bechtolt.
The video shows Dorrall returning to his apartment, retrieving a firearm, and shooting Bechtolt multiple times in the hallway. Responding officers later found Bechtolt deceased outside the stairwell door.
Dorrall was interviewed by detectives and provided a full confession, admitting to the murder of Bechtolt.
He also expressed an intent to kill additional residents and responding officers had he not been stopped.
Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer issued a statement commending the officers involved:
“I want to commend the officers who responded to this incredibly dangerous situation. Their training, courage, and swift response undoubtedly prevented further loss of life. What unfolded at Florence Tower was tragic, and our thoughts and condolences are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Bechtolt. Our officers acted heroically under extreme pressure, and I am proud of their commitment to protecting the residents of Omaha.”
The department has released still images from surveillance footage, showing Dorrall armed with two handguns, along with crime scene photographs of the weapons, ammunition, and spent shell casings recovered from the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing.