LAPLACE, LA., The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double homicide after two teenagers were found shot to death inside a vehicle Thursday afternoon, Feb. 19, 2026.
Deputies were dispatched to the 1900 block of Yorktowne Drive in LaPlace around 2:40 p.m. after receiving a 911 call reporting that a vehicle had crashed into a residence.
When deputies arrived, they located two unresponsive males inside a Toyota Camry, one seated in the driver’s seat and the other in the front passenger seat. Authorities determined both individuals had suffered gunshot wounds and were pronounced deceased at the scene by the parish coroner.
Officials confirmed that no one inside the home was injured, though one person was present in the residence at the time of the crash.
The driver was identified as Daniel Robles De Medina, 18, of LaPlace. The front seat passenger was identified as Gerard Garret, 17, also of LaPlace.
According to investigators, evidence recovered from inside the vehicle, including two firearms and spent shell casings that matched the weapons, suggests the teens exchanged gunfire during a dispute. Authorities also referenced cell phone communications between the two, obtained through a search warrant, which indicate the disagreement may have been related to an illegal narcotics transaction.
Detectives continue to review evidence as the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office.
