Court documents say Alexandria teen killed in March 2022 shooting was innocent bystander

Court documents filed before sentencing for a man who pleaded guilty to killing an Alexandria teen shows the victim wasn't the intended target on the night of the shooting.

Christopher James Celestine Jr., a 17-year-old Alexandria Senior High School student, died on March 19, 2022, after being shot once in his torso in the 700 block of Fred Loop.

Eric Duane Macon Jr., 26, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on April 10. Celestine's family is scheduled to give their victim impact statements on Wednesday, and Macon should be sentenced Aug. 30, according to online Rapides Parish Clerk of Court records.

Leading up to those events, both the prosecution and defense have filed sentencing recommendations with the 9th Judicial District Court. In addition to suggesting how long Macon should serve in prison, the documents also reveal what led to Celestine's death.

Macon didn't fire any shots, according to the document filed by Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Lea Hall, but he was the driver to, at and from the scene for three juveniles who did shoot.

The chain of events started with a "paintball war that teenagers had engaged in that day," it reads. A girl got angry when a window in her mother's car was shot and shattered, and she called a friend to tell him what had happened.

That person, who was riding in a car with others, asked her who was there via a cellphone's speaker, it reads. When she told him, they recognized the same of someone they did not like.

It was not Celestine, according to the document.

The girl was warned in a separate phone call to hide behind a car. She then warned the others with her minutes before shots were fired.

"A witness said as the shooting started, it appeared that Celestine had been attempting to protect (the girl)," it reads.

Detectives found and interviewed people connected to the case, including Macon. A warrant on a second-degree murder charge later was issued for him, and he led police on a chase before crashing into his own home in early May 2022.

Officers found a 2-year-old child inside the car, and Macon admitted in a later interview he'd put the child in danger.

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But he initially denied any involvement in the shooting and claimed it was a "complete surprise" to him, reads the document. When confronted with evidence against him, he was more forthcoming about his involvement but tried to downplay it.

Hall states the evidence in the case is against Macon, though.

"This entire incident was recorded on camera, and the vehicle Macon was driving could be seen driving around the area multiple times," he wrote. "Seconds before the shooting, the driver can be seen slowing, nearly stopping and allowing the juveniles to shoot. The vehicle is then seen quickly accelerating out of the area.

"In short, Macon behaved in a morally bankrupt way materially involving himself in an inept drive-by that killed an innocent juvenile bystander."

The filing called his behavior "among the worst sorts of problems currently plaguing this jurisdiction." It bemoans the involvement of juveniles with him and "lays bare what Macon really is," urging the court to remember that as he pleads for mercy at his sentencing.

Indeed, the attorney for Macon is suggesting a 10-year suspended prison sentence with three years of supervised probation.

The maximum sentence for manslaughter is 40 years, and Hall wrote that the state is asking the court to consider the maximum "because a lesser sentence would deprecate the seriousness of these offenses."

Willie Stephens Jr., Macon's attorney, wrote in his pre-sentencing memorandum that his client was telling the truth when he said he had no idea what the juveniles in his vehicle had planned.

Macon was delivering music recording equipment to his nephew on the day of the shooting, and his nephew then asked if he'd give him and some friends a ride to a party. Macon agreed, reads the document.

"At no point while defendant was transporting (his nephew) and his friends did he have any intention to become involved in any altercation with any individuals," it reads.

Stephens also wrote that Macon did not know anyone in his vehicle had weapons, claiming Macon "was surprised to see that (his nephew) and his friends began shooting."

He wrote that Macon has no history of violence with no serious criminal history, is a married man with responsibilities and doesn't pose a danger to the public. Any sentence greater than 10 years would be excessive, it reads.

An unrelated felony charge of carnal knowledge of a juvenile against Macon was dropped when he pleaded guilty.

At least two of the juveniles involved in the case were arrested, too. One, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, is being tried as an adult on a manslaughter charge. His trial has been set for Dec. 4.

Whether either of the other two juveniles faced or will face prosecution is not known.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: State: Christopher Celestine wasn't target on night he was killed