District Attorney J. Collin Sims reports that on Friday, October 2, 2026, a Washington Parish jury found 24-year-old Tauj Taplin of Amite, Louisiana, and 24-year-old Quardaviaon White of McComb, Mississippi, guilty as charged of Second Degree Murder. The jury returned guilty verdicts after a five-day trial before the Honorable Judge Alan A. Zaunbrecher.
Assistant District Attorneys Tiffany Dover and Iain Dover led the prosecution, following an investigation by the Bogalusa Police Department.
On June 7, 2021, Bogalusa Police officers responded to a shooting at an apartment on Union Square. Upon arrival, officers located a victim in the rear of the apartment suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to Our Lady of Angels Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigating officers gathered evidence, interviewed witnesses, and determined the shooting stemmed from ongoing threats by other local area rap music figures. Investigators subsequently identified Taplin as the shooter and White as the driver of the getaway vehicle.
Following the issuance of arrest warrants, law enforcement located the suspects in Texas. On June 10, 2021, Chambers County Sheriff's Deputies stopped the suspects' vehicle, taking White into custody while Taplin fled the stop. Taplin was apprehended shortly after by Louisiana State Police near Lake Charles. Extradition was waived, and both defendants were returned to Louisiana.
Subsequent search warrants led to the recovery of two handguns, one of which had been reported stolen out of Baton Rouge.
During closing arguments, prosecutors highlighted the digital and physical evidence that definitively placed the defendants at the scene and established their roles in the killing.
"They scoped out the apartment, with the victim's girlfriend, their unborn baby, and a 7-year-old child inside," ADA Iain Dover told the jury. "They were stopped and arrested in Texas with the very same phones that they brought to Bogalusa. Cell phone records corroborate...they damn these two. Both of these guys threw their lives away over some Instagram rap beef nonsense. The defendants' choices, and the defendants' choices alone, led them here today."
In rebuttal, ADA Tiffany Dover addressed the inconsistencies in the defense and White's direct role as the getaway driver.
"Their lies don't stay consistent, because it's not the truth," ADA Tiffany Dover argued. "Why clutch the pearls, when your partner here is wanted for murder? He moved that car three times, then sped away. I am here asking you for justice - justice for the victim's family and justice for the defendants."
District Attorney Collin Sims commended the law enforcement partners and prosecution team for their steadfast work in securing the convictions.
"This violent act shattered a home, endangered innocent lives - including an unborn baby and a 7-year-old child - and took a young man from his family over mindless online rivalry," said District Attorney Collin Sims. "Thanks to the diligent work of the Bogalusa Police Department and the thorough presentation by our prosecution team, justice has been delivered for the victim and his loved ones."
Judge Zaunbrecher has scheduled sentencing for October 20, 2026. Both defendants face a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.
DA Sims expresses his thanks to the Bogalusa Police Department, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police, Chambers County Sheriff's Office, Vidor Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) for their collaborative efforts and assistance in this investigation.
Joseph Penton (age 42 with a Bogalusa, La. address) was booked on the charge of Simple Burglary by the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. 
