2 arrested in Texas; suspects in Eunice killing

A man and woman from Eunice face second-degree murder charges in connection with the death of Akeem Ceaser, 22, of Eunice, Police Chief Randy Fontenot announced Friday.
Ceaser’s body was found Feb. 1 in a wooded area north of East Magnolia Avenue. He had last been seen Dec. 24.
An autopsy ruled his death a homicide and Fontenot said death was from a gunshot. DNA was used to identify the body as that of Ceasar.
The police chief called a news conference Friday at City Hall to announce the capture of Phillip Lafleur, 22, and Candice Vidrine, 21, both of Eunice, in San Angelo, Texas.
As the investigation progressed, Fontenot said several people of interest were identified. Eunice police learned of the arrest of two of the persons in San Angelo.
“Two handguns were found by Texas authorities subsequent to the arrests. The handguns had been reported stolen during a burglary in Eunice just days before. Neither of these handguns are suspected as being the murder weapon. Lafleur and Vidrine were in a stolen vehicle ‘at the time and both are facing charges in Texas,” a news release stated.
“I had investigators go to Texas to follow up with our investigations involving the murder of Akeem and the recent burglary. Evidence and information received during the cooperative investigation with Texas authorities established probable cause to believe that Phillip Lafleur is responsible for the death of Akeem Ceasar. Probable cause has also been established to believe that Candice Vidrine participated in or at least had knowledge of the murder,” Fontenot’s news release stated.
The two were the subjects of a pursuit that began in Grape Creek, Texas, to San Angelo on Feb. 14, a news release from the San Angelo Police Department stated.
Two handguns were found after they were taken into custody, but Fontenot said neither was used in Ceasar’s death.
The vehicle they had been in, a 2003 Ford F-150 pickup, had been stolen.
The news release added, “Lafleur and Vidrine were transported to the Tom Green County Jail. Vidrine was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Lafleur was charged with evading in a motor vehicle, felon in possession of a firearm, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle as well as outstanding warrants. DPS filed the evading in a motor vehicle charge and the San Angelo Police Department filed the remaining charges.”
Warrants will be obtained for the arrests of Lafleur and Vidrine for second-degree murder and other charges, the news release stated.
“Once the warrants have been prepared we will begin the proceedings necessary for their extradition back to Louisiana, which may take some time because of the pending charges they are currently facing in Texas,” the news release stated.
Fontenot police do not have the gun used to kill Ceasar.
“We are still looking into that,” he said. “We have some leads on it and we still looking into it.”
Establishing a motive for the shooting is still under investigation, he said.
“There is some type of relationship,” he said of Lafleur and Vidrine. “I can’t elaborate on that at this point. I don’t deep their relationship goes at this point.”
With family and friends of the victim on hand, Fontenot turned to them at the end of the news conference.
“I wish to extend our sincere sympathy to the family. I know they have been through a lot and this has been a very challenging ordal for them,” he said. “They’ve worked with us very well and we appreciate that. We appreciate your patience. We know it took us a long time and probably, to you, it seemed like months.”
Ceasar’s sister, Alpolnia Allison, said it was a relief to learn of the arrests.
“I am happy that they got justice for my brother. They never asked us to get up, but I want to send a huge ‘thank you’ to them because they have been really helpful in the whole ordeal.”
Allison also expressed thanks for the community support the family has received.
LaRhonda Simpson, a teacher at Eunice High School where Ceasar attended classes, said, “He was a very respectful man.”
Another teacher at the school, Keenya Alfred, said, “Very ideal young man. Sweet, well-mannered, helpful to anybody. You don’t run into many kids like that.”
Fontenot said in his news release, “I would like to thank the Eunice City Marshal’s Office, the Houston Area U.S. Marshal’s Office and the San Angelo Police Department for their assistance in this investigation. I also want to express sincere gratitude to the two investigators who have been working relentlessly on this case and are currently on the return trip from San Angelo, Detective Robert Brickley and Lt. Ryan Young.”
Fontenot said the investigation is active and asked anyone with information, “no matter how minor you may think it,” to call the Eunice Police Department at 337-457-2626.