ST. MARTINVILLE, La. (KLFY)- A St. Martinville family is spoke out after 22-year-old Zackyric Gardner was indicted for second-degree murder in their loved one, 24-year-old Deiondre Benjamin, death, according to the 16th Judicial District Attorney's Office.

Deiondre Benjamin's father, Wendell Benjamin, said while the family is still grieving over their loss, there is some relief knowing progress has been made in his son's case.

"We got a long process that we've got to take, we're going to walk that walk, but at least we had an indictment done, that was the first step we wanted," Benjamin said.

This comes after Gardner was previously arrested in connection to the death of 24-year-old Deiondre Benjamin, at last year's St. Martinville Senior High Homecoming Game in October of 2024.

Police said Gardner fled to Texas after the shooting, before being apprehended by law enforcement. He was brought back to Louisiana where he is now in the St. Martin Parish Jail.

Benjamin left behind one daughter, who Wendell said, was stripped of her future with her father.

"I want it for my granddaughter, that was his world, and he took that away for her, I really don't feel like he should walk the streets again," Benjamin said.

Benjamin said the family will always remember Deiondre for being a family man who would had compassion for everyone he came across. While the indictment brings some closure for them, they say Gardner should face harsher charges for the homecoming shooting.

"It was thousands of people on that premises when this happened, other people could have gotten hurt just by running after they heard the gunshots because people was like running towards me before i found out it was my son, so I feel it should be more," said Benjamin.

If convicted, Gardner could face up to life in prison.

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