Fatal Shooting During Child Custody Exchange in Louisiana Leaves One Dead

A routine child custody exchange in Lake Charles, Louisiana, turned deadly over the weekend when a woman allegedly shot and killed the father of her child, according to local authorities.

Randolyn Allen, 43, of Lake Charles, has been charged with second-degree murder following the fatal shooting of 48-year-old Brett Daigle of Canyon City, Colorado. The incident occurred Saturday afternoon around 2:30 p.m. at a residence on South Perkins Ferry Road, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) reported.

Upon arrival, deputies found Daigle deceased at the scene, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Preliminary findings from the investigation indicate that Allen discharged a firearm during the custody exchange, striking Daigle several times.

“This is an unfortunate example of how emotionally charged custody exchanges can become,” said Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Gary “Stitch” Guillory said. “We see this more often than people might think, and it’s why we urge parents to consider safer alternatives.”

Sheriff Guillory emphasized the importance of conducting custody exchanges in secure locations. “If anyone feels uncomfortable during a custody exchange, we strongly recommend using designated safe zones at sheriff’s offices or police departments,” he said.

Multiple witnesses at the scene were interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation. Allen was taken into custody and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center. As of Sunday, bond had not yet been set.

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Authorities have not released details regarding a possible motive, and the investigation remains active.