Suspect accused of fatally shooting Tangipahoa rapper commits suicide, sheriff’s office says
TANGIPAHOA, La. (WVUE) - A 26-year-old Kentwood man accused of fatally shooting a North Shore rap artist died by self-inflicted gunshot wounds while deputies were trying to bring him under arrest, according to information from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’'s Office.
Chief Jimmy Travis said that while deputies attempted to arrest Tommie Diamond for the murder of Calvin Felton, 18, of Hammond, he fatally shot himself inside a Kentwood residence after several hours of unsuccessful negotiations.
Felton was known in the area by his stage name “Highway Youngin’”. Police say they received a distressing call shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday (May 28), alerting them to an incident on Martin Luther King Drive within the Village of Tangipahoa. Deputies arrived at the location and discovered Felton in the yard of a residence, suffering from a gunshot wound to the stomach on the night he died.
READ MORE Louisiana rapper Highway Youngin’ shot, killed in Tangipahoa
Travis said that Diamond, who was facing possible charges of second-degree murder, obstruction of justice, and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, was located at the residence of a family member Thursday (June 1) night around 11:30 p.m., armed with a handgun. Travis said that Diamond was able to be located through the racking of an ankle monitor. Deputies on the scene say he barricaded himself inside of the home.
The Tangipahoa Special Response team attempted to negotiate with Diamond, who deputies say began threatening deputies in a possible attempt to commit suicide by cop. After officers heard what sounded like a gunshot coming from inside the home, Diamond was discovered deceased after a drone was used to fly into the home.
Travis said that Diamond was out on bond from a second-degree murder booking related to the Roseland trail ride shooting in August 2020, which claimed the life of a 21-year-old Baton Rouge mother. Authorities at the time said that gunmen fired into a crowd of about 100 people at a birthday party, striking unintended targets.
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Seven suspects were arrested in the aftermath of the Roseland trail ride shooting, including Javoris Scott, known as the Bogalusa rapper JayDaYoungan, who was booked with accessory to second-degree murder and obstruction of justice for his role in the incident. Scott was coincidentally fatally shot in Bogalusa in July of 2022.
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Recently in the Village of Tangipahoa, a Kentwood man was fatally shot at Backroad 40, a bar located on Highway 1051, on Tuesday, May 24, just miles away from where Felton was found with fatal gunshot wounds.
READ MORE Kentwood man shot dead outside bar; suspect arrested
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