Teen Brothers Arrested in Independence Homicide of 18 Year-Old

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office (TPSO), in collaboration with the Independence Police Department (IPD), has arrested two teen brothers from Amite in connection with the shooting death of a teenage girl in Independence earlier this month.

Kennivar Burton, age18, and Jarden Burton, age 17, have each been booked on one count each of 2nd Degree Murder, Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Obstruction of Justice and Illegal Discharge of a Firearm.

Just before 9 a.m. on Friday, October 4, 2024, IPD was called to an apartment complex on 1st Street for a report of an unresponsive person. Officers arrived at one of the duplex units to find 18-year-old Le’Airrah Dupard dead from a gunshot wound. There was a second person in the home at the time of the shooting, who is believed to be the target, but they was not hit.

TPSO Detective Russell Walker II and Independence Police Lt. Irvin Reid worked hand-in-hand to collect evidence and witness statements that ultimately led to the identification of the Burton brothers as suspects in this case. The pair were taken into custody on Monday (October 21, 2024).

TPSO and IPD are still actively working this investigation and could use the public’s help with that ongoing effort. Anyone with information about this crime can contact the Criminal Investigations Office at 985-345-6150. If you’d prefer to share information anonymously, you can do so through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3 Tips icon or Submit A Tip! You may be eligible for a cash reward.