Vermilion Sheriff, Abbeville Police Chief join to ask public’s assistance in providing information

Response to bringing in those allegedly involved in the shooting death of Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Allen Bares Jr. has been both swift and steady.
That is in part thanks to the help law enforcement has received from Vermilion Parish residents.
“Law enforcement and citizens in Vermilion Parish have made a difference since Monday,” Vermilion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillon said during a press conference Thursday afternoon. “We have arrested four people who participated in the murder of a police officer.”
Officials arrested Baylon Taylor, 19, late Monday, and Quintylan Richard, 20, early on Tuesday, nearly seven hours after he allegedly shot Bares. They are each charged with first-degree murder. Officers on Wednesday arrested Richard’s sister Quintygi Richard, and Miguel Comeaux, each on charges of accessory to first-degree murder.
Couvillon asked during Thursday’s press conference that the public continue to offer help in, not only the Bares case, but other cases that have not been solved.
“In the City of Abbeville, alone, there are several unsolved murders,” Couvillon said. “We need to take a stand and give up these murderers, and contribute information that could assist (law enforcement) in future arrests.”
There are currently five homicide cases that remain open for the Abbeville Police Department. The victims in those cases are Theresa Jordan, Paul Plowden, Daryll Broussard, Kyle Trahan and Paul Rice.
“We have several homicide cases that need to be solved,” Abbeville Police Chief Tony Hardy said during the press conference. “For us to do that, we need the exact same thing (the sheriff requested), we need people to come forward.
“Any clue you can give us can help.”
Those who offer assistance can remain anonymous. Tips can be called to the Abbeville Police Department at (337) 893-2511, or the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Department at (337) 893-0871 and (337) 643-1777.
“We will take any information we can that may point us in the right direction,” Hardy said. “We never let these cases die down and we are always working on these cases.
“Please, please, say something if you know something.”
Louisiana State Police Trooper First Class Stephen Hammons said during the press conference that while arrests have been made, there is still information that is needed for the Bares case.
“We know there are people out there who have information and have not come forward yet,” Hammons said. “If you have information that can lead to the furtherance of our investigation, we do have rewards that are available.
“Anything that you can bring forward is certainly important to us.”
Hammons stressed the reasons to help are clear.
“The Bares family is sitting right now at the funeral home, greeting people who are coming in to say their last goodbyes,” Hammons said. “Deputy Allen Bares was a father, he has a wife, a son and a daughter. He has nieces, nephews and parents, all of whom are grieving. Allen Bares was a person, whose job was that of a police officer, a sheriff’s deputy. He died doing his job. What we are asking for, begging for, is if you have information, don’t remain silent anymore. Silence is the only thing that is going to lead to other crimes being committed.
“Take that stand and let us know.”
Couvillon did not mince words when he spoke to the importance of speaking up.
“There is one or several killers still running around Abbeville,” Couvillon said of the unsolved homicides. “If anyone has any information and elects or chooses not to give this information, food for thought, one of their family members might be the next victim.
“If you have an opportunity to stop these killers, now would be a good time to do it.”