ALEXANDRIA, La. (WNTZ) – Two men have been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting outside a nightclub in Rapides Parish that left one person dead, and four others injured early Saturday morning, according to the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office (RPSO).

Deputies responded around 4:30 a.m. on Sept. 27 to reports of gunfire in the parking lot of Super Daqz, located at 7533 U.S. Highway 71 South. When they arrived, they discovered that five victims had already been transported to area hospitals by private vehicles.

One victim, identified as Rakel Markez Morris, 27, of Alexandria, later died from his injuries.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division and the Crime Scene Unit secured the area and began processing evidence. Additional investigators were sent to local hospitals and a Raising Cane’s on MacArthur Drive to collect evidence related to the shooting.

Following an investigation that included witness interviews, evidence recovered from the scene, and video surveillance footage, detectives identified two suspects:

• Christian Matthew Scott, 28, of Simmesport
• Jonathan Lee Christal, 31, of Lettsworth

Both men were booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center on charges of second-degree murder. Scott was arrested on Sept. 30, and Christal was taken into custody on Oct. 2. Each is being held on $1 million bond.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective John Skrobarcek at (318) 473-6727, the RPSO Main Office at (318) 473-6700, or Crime Stoppers at (318) 443-7867.

The sheriff’s office thanked the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Simmesport Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Violent Offenders Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for their assistance.

Authorities reminded the public that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

NOTE: All suspects named are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.