A tight-knit community in Louisiana is grieving the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Samantha Breaux, a 27-year-old mother of two from Church Point, who was shot and killed in an apparent domestic murder-suicide outside Legends Bar on Johnston Street early Saturday morning.
According to the Lafayette Police Department, the shooting occurred just after 8 a.m. in the parking lot of the popular bar, hours after it had closed for the night. Authorities identified the two deceased as Samantha Breaux and her boyfriend, Jonovan Dauphine, 30, of Sunset. Investigators believe Dauphine fatally shot Breaux before turning the gun on himself.
Police say the shooting was domestic in nature and Breaux was the first victim. No further details about the events leading up to the shooting have been released, but the case remains under investigation.
Eyewitnesses described the harrowing aftermath. Zane Marks, who was having breakfast nearby with his son, said, “It’s terrible, it’s hard to even hear.” Teen witness Galvin Clark shared, “I just thought it was some robbery or something. But when we saw the crowd piling at the window, we knew something really bad had happened.”
Loved ones, friends, and classmates of Breaux are struggling to comprehend the loss. Breaux was a cosmetology graduate and a dedicated mother who was passionate about her craft and her children.
“Our sweet Sam, girl you really crushed me,” wrote Kimbriana Malbrough in an emotional tribute. “You were such an amazing friend and mother to those sweet boys! I’m in such disbelief that this happened to you… Our Aveda angel 🥺.”
Crystal Stevens Taylor echoed the pain many are feeling: “Lost for words… Definitely one of my favorites without a doubt. Could do some HAIR ya hear me! Always eager to learn any technique. The way she would get it out the mud and kept going for her handsome boys was so inspirational.”
Breaux, who lived in Lafayette but was originally from Church Point, is remembered as a fighter, a loving friend, and a determined young woman who always prioritized her children and her future.
The community continues to send prayers to her family, especially her young sons who are now left without their mother. “I’ll never forget you, Samantha Breaux,” Taylor added. “Major prayers going up for her sons and family🙏🏾 Get your rest beautiful girl, you’ll truly be missed.”
As Lafayette mourns this unimaginable loss, police are urging anyone with further information to come forward. Counseling and support services are being made available to those affected by the tragedy.
| Name | Age | Hometown | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samantha Breaux | 27 | Church Point, LA | Deceased | Victim of fatal domestic shooting |
| Jonovan Dauphine | 30 | Sunset, LA | Deceased | Suspected shooter, died by suicide |
| Incident Location | — | Lafayette, LA | — | Outside Legends Bar on Johnston Street |
| Time of Incident | — | May 4, 2025, 8 a.m. | — | Police confirmed murder-suicide |
FAQs
Q: Who was Samantha Breaux?
A: Samantha was a 27-year-old mother of two, a licensed cosmetologist, and a beloved member of her community in Church Point and Lafayette.
Q: What happened at Legends Bar?
A: Samantha was fatally shot by her partner, Jonovan Dauphine, in the parking lot. He then took his own life. The incident is being treated as a domestic murder-suicide.
Q: Are the police investigating?
A: Yes, the Lafayette Police Department continues to investigate the motive and timeline surrounding the incident.