Tavian Young, 20, Killed and Unidentified Female Passenger Hospitalized After Brazen Daylight Shooting in Abbeville That Also Endangered a 3-Year-Old Child
Abbeville, Louisiana — A quiet Friday afternoon in the city of Abbeville was shattered by a sudden and violent act of gunfire that left a young man dead, a woman seriously injured, and a child caught in the crossfire in what police are calling one of the most brazen attacks in recent local history. The incident, which unfolded across multiple streets and left a community reeling, claimed the life of 20-year-old Tavian Young and injured an unidentified female passenger, with a three-year-old child miraculously escaping physical harm.
As the investigation continues, with no suspects in custody and limited information released to the public, the community mourns the loss of a young life and fears for the safety of its streets.
The Incident: A Timeline of Terror in Abbeville
Gunfire Erupts on Guegnon Street
The chaos began shortly after 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 18, when dispatchers at the Abbeville Police Department received the first of three rapid-fire emergency calls reporting shots fired in the 700 block of South Guegnon Street, a residential stretch lined with single-family homes and modest local businesses.
Witnesses reported hearing as many as 10 to 15 gunshots in rapid succession. Investigators later confirmed that the vehicle involved, a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe, had been struck by several .223 caliber rounds, a high-powered rifle cartridge typically used in AR-15 style firearms.
A High-Speed Escape and a Devastating Crash
Despite the hail of bullets, the vehicle attempted to flee the scene. The driver managed to continue northbound on Guegnon Street, turning east onto Charity Street in a desperate attempt to evade further attack. But as the bullets struck, chaos unfolded inside the SUV.
Tavian Young, 20, seated in the back passenger seat, was shot in the right side of his torso, just beneath the armpit. The second passenger, a young woman whose identity has not been released by authorities, was also hit — a bullet grazing or embedding into the back of her head. The injuries were life-threatening.
The panic and injuries inside the SUV became overwhelming. Unable to maintain control, the driver crashed into a utility pole in the southeast corner of the Landry’s Laundromat parking lot, located at the intersection of Charity Street and Prairie Avenue.
This was the second call received by police — reporting a major vehicle crash with possible injuries.
A Third Call Reveals Another Victim
Moments later, the third emergency call came in: a second victim had been located on Prairie Avenue, confirming fears that the shooting was not limited to just the initial gunfire. Responding officers realized quickly that all three events were linked — part of a terrifying and fast-moving series of events that had already resulted in multiple casualties.
Victims Identified: Tavian Young’s Life Cut Short
Tavian Young, the 20-year-old killed in the shooting, was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. According to police and emergency personnel, CPR and life-saving measures were performed, but the severity of his injuries left little hope. He was found unresponsive in the rear seat of the vehicle, slumped against the door with visible trauma to the right side of his torso.
Young, a native of Abbeville, had recently celebrated his 20th birthday. Family members say he had plans to enroll in a vocational school to study auto mechanics and was known to be soft-spoken, respectful, and protective of those he loved — especially children.
“Tavian loved his family, especially his little cousins. He always had a smile and always said, ‘Yes ma’am,’ ‘No sir.’ He wasn’t involved in anything that would bring this on him,” said Monica Young, his aunt, during a vigil held Saturday night.
Unidentified Female Passenger in Stable Condition
The female passenger, who sustained a gunshot wound to the back of the head, was rushed to a nearby hospital in serious condition. Authorities have not released her name due to privacy concerns but confirmed she remains in stable condition and is expected to recover after emergency surgery. Police say she may be a critical witness in identifying the assailant(s).
Three-Year-Old Child Unharmed but Traumatized
The third occupant in the vehicle — a three-year-old child — was not physically injured during the attack. Authorities say the child was sitting in the middle row in a booster seat and was later released to a family member.
“It’s a miracle that baby survived,” said Detective Ronald Broussard of the Abbeville Police Department. “We are talking about high-powered rounds entering a vehicle, killing one occupant, injuring another, and the child was inches away. That’s nothing short of miraculous.”
Investigation Ongoing: No Arrests, No Suspects
Scene Analysis and Ballistics Evidence
Police have collected numerous shell casings from the scene of the shooting, all consistent with a .223 caliber semi-automatic rifle. Investigators believe the gunman or gunmen fired from outside the vehicle, potentially from a concealed location such as behind a fence or a nearby vehicle. However, no clear surveillance footage of the shooting itself has been released.
Forensic teams worked well into the night on Friday and throughout Saturday combing through the scene, photographing the vehicle, and reviewing traffic camera footage from nearby intersections.
So far, authorities have not identified a motive, though several sources close to the investigation say detectives are exploring possible connections to recent disputes or past altercations involving individuals close to the victims.
Community Cooperation Requested
Abbeville Police Chief Mike Hardy issued a statement on Sunday urging community members to come forward with any information.
“This kind of violence cannot become normalized in our city,” Chief Hardy said. “We lost a young man with his whole life ahead of him. We could have lost a woman and a child as well. If anyone knows anything, no matter how small, we need you to step up.”
Tips can be submitted anonymously via the Abbeville PD hotline or through Vermilion Parish Crime Stoppers.
Community in Shock: Reactions from Residents and Leaders
The shooting has rocked the small city of Abbeville, which in recent years has experienced a troubling uptick in violent crime. In 2024 alone, the city logged over a dozen gun-related incidents, including three homicides.
Local Residents Respond
“I heard the shots from inside my kitchen,” said Harold Dugas, a resident who lives near the shooting site. “I ran outside and saw people ducking and screaming. It sounded like a warzone.”
Others, like Debra Landry, who owns the laundromat where the SUV crashed, said this is the third shooting in six months near her business.
“People can’t even wash their clothes without fearing for their lives. That’s not right.”
Faith Leaders and Community Advocates Speak Out
At a vigil held on Saturday evening, local clergy and residents lit candles, released balloons, and called for peace and justice.
Pastor Leonard Thomas, who officiated the vigil, said:
“This is not just about who pulled the trigger. This is about a system and a community that has not done enough to protect our youth. Tavian should be alive right now.”
Who Was Tavian Young? A Life Remembered
Family and friends describe Tavian Young as a respectful, soft-spoken young man who never sought trouble. He graduated from Abbeville High School in 2023 and had recently begun working at a local auto shop while preparing to pursue certification in auto mechanics.
His Facebook profile is filled with photos of family gatherings, his pit bull “Shadow,” and his young nephews, whom he frequently babysat.
“He didn’t deserve this,” said his cousin, Jameson Broussard. “He wasn’t perfect, but he was good. And he was getting better. He was trying to be better.”
Broader Implications: A City at a Crossroads
The death of Tavian Young and the injuries to two others have reignited debates in Abbeville over gun violence, youth engagement, and policing strategies.
Gun Violence and Accessibility
The use of a .223 caliber rifle, often associated with mass shootings and gang-related activity, has raised fresh concerns over how easily high-powered firearms are obtained. Louisiana has some of the most lenient gun laws in the United States, and advocates for reform are once again calling for universal background checks, red flag laws, and limits on high-capacity magazines.
Calls for Youth Programs and Community Investment
Leaders say this moment must be a turning point.
“We keep losing our kids to the streets because there’s not enough for them to do,” said Councilwoman Denise Robideaux. “We need after-school programs, mentorship, jobs — and we need them now.”
