Deadly Shootout and Car Crash in LaPlace Neighborhood

Two teens dead after drug deal gone wrong in Cambridge Subdivision

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A drug deal between two teenagers in a car on Thursday ended in a deadly shootout and a crash into a nearby home in the Cambridge Subdivision of LaPlace, Louisiana. The driver, 18-year-old Daniel Medina, and the passenger, 17-year-old Gerard Garrett, were both killed in the incident.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of illegal drug activity and the potential for violence when such transactions go wrong. It also raises concerns about public safety in the Cambridge Subdivision neighborhood, where a resident's home was significantly damaged in the crash.

The details

According to St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre, Medina picked up Garrett just blocks away from a home on Yorktowne Drive before the two became involved in a drug transaction. A struggle began inside the vehicle, and the teens shot each other while the car was traveling down the road. The car then veered off and crashed into a nearby home, leaving crumbled bricks and significant structural damage.

  • The incident occurred on Thursday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Daniel Medina

An 18-year-old resident of St. John the Baptist Parish with a juvenile criminal history.

Gerard Garrett

A 17-year-old resident of St. John the Baptist Parish with a juvenile criminal history.

Donna

The owner of the home that was damaged when the car crashed into it.

Mike Tregre

The St. John Parish Sheriff.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I was in the back of my house and I heard this horrific crash.”

— Donna, Homeowner (wwltv.com)

“The person who called 9-1-1 said there was definitely a driver in the car and there was somebody else. And she says, 'They're not moving.'”

— Donna, Homeowner (wwltv.com)

“When you're living that lifestyle, these are the kind of things that happen. A 17-year-old and an 18-year-old in broad daylight, having a shootout inside of a vehicle.”

— Mike Tregre, St. John Parish Sheriff (wwltv.com)

What’s next

Authorities are investigating the incident and will likely review any surveillance footage from the neighborhood to gather more details about the events leading up to the shootout and crash.

The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of illegal drug activity and the potential for violence when such transactions go wrong. It also highlights the need for continued efforts to address youth crime and promote public safety in the Cambridge Subdivision neighborhood.