Two Men Convicted of Murder in 2021 Bogalusa Shooting Linked to Instagram Rap Dispute
A Washington Parish jury convicted Tauj Taplin and Quardaviaon White of second-degree murder in the 2021 fatal shooting at a Bogalusa apartment. Both men face mandatory life sentences without parole.
Bogalusa Murder Convictions: Jury Finds Two Men Guilty After Five-Day Trial
A Washington Parish jury on Friday, 2 October 2026, found Tauj Taplin, 24, of Amite, Louisiana, and Quardaviaon White, 24, of McComb, Mississippi, guilty of second-degree murder in connection with a 2021 fatal shooting in Bogalusa, collinsimsda.org reports. The verdict followed a five-day trial before Judge Alan A. Zaunbrecher.
Victim Shot at Union Square Apartment
On 7 June 2021, Bogalusa Police officers responded to reports of a shooting at an apartment on Union Square. Officers found the victim in the rear of the apartment with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Our Lady of Angels Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators gathered evidence, interviewed witnesses, and determined the shooting grew out of ongoing threats among local rap music figures. Taplin was identified as the shooter; White was identified as the driver of the getaway vehicle.
Suspects Captured in Texas
Following the issuance of arrest warrants, law enforcement tracked the suspects to Texas. On 10 June 2021 — three days after the shooting — Chambers County Sheriff's Deputies stopped the pair's vehicle. White was taken into custody at the scene, while Taplin fled on foot and was apprehended shortly after by Louisiana State Police near Lake Charles. Both defendants waived extradition and were returned to Louisiana.
Search warrants executed after their arrest led to the recovery of two handguns, one of which had been reported stolen out of Baton Rouge.
Prosecution: Cell Phones and Digital Evidence Sealed the Case
Assistant District Attorneys Tiffany Dover and Iain Dover led the prosecution, which rested heavily on digital and physical evidence to place both defendants at the scene.
"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 during closing arguments. "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 challenged the consistency of the defence and underscored White's direct role as getaway driver.
"Their lies don't stay consistent, because it's not the truth," 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."
DA: 'Mindless Online Rivalry' Cost a Young Man His Life
District Attorney Collin Sims commended investigators and prosecutors following the verdicts.
"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," Sims said. "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."
Sims acknowledged 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 and Explosives for their roles in the investigation.
Judge Zaunbrecher has scheduled sentencing for 20 October 2026. Both Taplin and White face a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)