Friends react to teenage Baker’s accidental death

BAKER, La. (WAFB) – WAFB has learned that 15-year-old Dacey Gaspard was sitting with friends in a bedroom at a Baker home on Saturday when police say he was accidentally shot with an assault rifle. Gaspar was less than a month away from his 16th birthday.

Darius Butler said he was inside the home when the gun went off.

“It was an accident. All we did was relax, listen to music, just talk, have fun. All I remember is that it just worked,” Butler said.

Baker police said the boy later died at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center.

Tramair Smith, 18, was arrested.

Friends tell WAFB that the teenagers were like family.

“This is my best friend. Like my blood brother. My blood brother. Both. It’s just unexpected.” said the friend, who wished to remain anonymous.

“Every day we tell each other that we loved them. If the bond is strong, how can we hate each other?” Butler added.

Friends said the teenagers went to Baker High School. Baker City School System Superintendent JT. Stroder posted the following message for parents Facebook:

Police are still investigating the shooting. The pain of what happened will still be felt among these friends.

“If I was here, everything would be different. Things would have been completely different, but I can’t blame myself. Accidents happen,” said the friend, who asked not to be named.

“I wish I could have saved him,” Butler said.

Smith is charged with negligent homicide. He was also arrested on an outstanding warrant out of New Orleans, police said.

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