Inset: Randolyn Allen (Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office). Background: Investigators at the scene of Brett Daigle’s murder in Lake Charles, La. (KPLC).
A child custody exchange in Louisiana spiraled into deadly violence over the weekend, with a local mom allegedly opening fire on her kid’s father in broad daylight after he traveled from Colorado, cops say.
“Sometimes these child custody exchanges can be a bad situation,” said Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Gary “Stitch” Guillory in an interview with local NBC and CW affiliate KPLC.
Randolyn Allen, 43, of Lake Charles, was the mother at the center of the exchange and has been charged with second-degree murder for the Saturday shooting, according to a CPSO press release. Deputies were dispatched to a residence on South Perkins Ferry Road at around 2:30 p.m. after reports came in about the gunfire.
“When deputies arrived they located Brett Daigle, 48, Canyon City, CO, deceased,” the CPSO release states. “During the initial investigation detectives learned [Allen] had discharged a firearm at the residence during a child custody exchange. Daigle was struck several times and pronounced dead at the scene.”
Details surrounding the motive have not been released yet by local authorities, only that Allen allegedly shot Daigle multiple times. Guillory told KPLC that police often deal with violence and other criminal acts related to custody exchanges, which he says can be a tough time for parents and children.
“That’s why we encourage people, if they’re uncomfortable going to a residence or to a place to do a child custody exchange, we offer a safe place at our sheriff’s office, at any police department.” Guillory said. “I would highly recommend that.”
During the investigation, detectives interviewed “several witnesses” at the scene, along with Allen. She was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center. Her bond was still pending Sunday.
