2 arrested in January 2000 shooting death of Allen Babineaux

Lake Charles, LA (KPLC) - Officials have announced two arrests in a shooting at the Doll House nightclub on Mill Street on Jan. 1, 2000.

Three people were shot, resulting in Allen Babineaux’s death. 24-year-old LaShonda Harmon and 24-year-old Shonda Woods were wounded.

We spoke to some of the family of Babineaux who said his death is still too painful to talk about. In a previous interview in 2015, Karen Lewis, one of Babineaux’s sisters said he was his father’s best friend, and they were all very proud of him.

Marvin Dandre Kyer, 46, was arrested on Feb. 1 in Douglasville, Georgia, on one count of principal to second-degree murder, and Terrance Lee Malvo, 49, of Sulphur, was arrested Feb. 3, on one count of second-degree murder.

The cold case was reopened in January, 2022, when the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office advised LCPD to review all case files and evidence. LCPD then revisited the crime scene and reconstructed the incident.

“We went back out,” Deputy Chief Franklin Fondel said. “Reconstructed the crime scene, and in January of 2023, we were able to obtain two arrest warrants.”

Investigators identified the two suspects through forensic testing and witness statements.

“Video statements, speaking to witnesses, also forensics and new technology,” Fondel said. “That’s what led us to obtain arrest warrants.”

“This is just the beginning of closure for the Babineaux family,” Fondel said. “Twenty-three years this family has been waiting for closure, waiting for healing.”

Investigators believe multiple altercations took place inside the facility before being taken outside. Babineaux was an innocent bystander.

“During the investigation, we learned that there multiple fights that took place in the club, which bled out to the parking lot, and at that time, suspects began to fire rounds into the crowd,” Sgt. Willie Fontenot said.

Bond for both men has been set at $1 million. Kyer is in the process of being transferred to the Calcasieu Correctional Center.

The case will be taken to the grand jury next week.

This remains an ongoing investigation and anyone with additional information is asked to contact Sgt. Willie Fontenot by calling (337) 491-1311.

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