Fontenot is arrested in connection with fatal shooting

On Monday, April 24, at approximately 12:35 p.m., officers with the Ville Platte Police Department responded to a call of an unresponsive black male at 621 E. Beauregard St.
Upon entering the residence, Det. Sgt. Darrian Guillory observed paramedics with MedExpress Ambulance Service standing near a male subject, who was identified as Jawaski Thomas. Upon further observation, it was learned that Thomas had sustained a single gunshot to his back.
During the course of the investigation, sufficient evidence was obtained by the Ville Platte Police Department's detectives which led to an arrest warrant for James "Jimbo" Fontenot.
Fontenot was located on Wednesday, April 26, and arrested by the Ville Platte Police Department with assistance from the Investigation Unit of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office. Fontenot is currently being held on a $1,501,000.00 bond and charged with first degree murder.
Chief Al Perry Thomas would like to thank the law enforcement agencies that assisted in this matter. In addition, he would also like to thank the public for its assistance and cooperation as it relates to this incident.
Chief Thomas would also like to remind the public that all individuals are innocent until proven guilty.