On July 2, 2025, an Ascension Parish Jury found 37-year-old Marty Leonard of Pierre Part, LA, guilty of 2nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Criminal Damage to Property (3 counts). Leonard was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Adam Koenig and Philip Prescott. Presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Steven Tureau. This guilty verdict stems from the 2021 shooting death of 25-year-old Qwonkeious Williams of Donaldsonville.
On July 8, 2021, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the OYO Motel located on Hwy 70 near the Sunshine Bridge in reference to a shooting. Upon making entry into the motel, deputies immediately detained the shooter, Marty Leonard, who was still on scene. Deputies also located the victim who was identified as Qwonkeious Williams lying on the floor in a hallway suffering from multiple apparent gunshot wounds.
The scene was secured and detectives responded for further investigation. Detectives processed the scene and were able to secure video footage from the interior and exterior of the motel. Video surveillance showed Leonard inside the motel pacing back and forth shouting vulgarities and indicating that he was planning to shoot and kill someone. At some point, Williams walks into the motel and proceeds to continue into a hallway towards his room…