Authorities are working to bring back a south Louisiana man suspected of killing his parents and his girlfriend, plus her father and brother. 21-year-old Dakota Theriot was arrested Sunday at his grandmother’s home in Virginia. Theriot’s killing spree started Saturday at a home just outside of Walker and then he went to his parents’ home in Gonzales. Ascension Sheriff Bobby Webre says some sort of domestic dispute sparked the slayings.
“And we don’t know the relationship between the father and the mother and son at this time, all of that will come together, but once again domestic violence is a real issue that we have to deal with,” said Webre.
Theriot faces multiple murder charges, home invasion and illegal use of weapons in Louisiana. He has been arrested before, but mainly for minor charges. Livingston Sheriff Jason Ard says Theriot was living with his girlfriend and the relationship was relatively new.
“Just speaking with the mother that was believed to be his girlfriend, there was no red flags, there’s no sign of anything, so we don’t have no motive at this time,” said Ard.
Webre says Theriot’s father gave authorities the information they needed to begin the massive manhunt for the suspected killer.
“We were able to get a dying declaration from him, only enough information to know it was his son that committed this act,” said Webre.
Theriot’s parents are 50-year-old Keith and Elizabeth Theriot of Gonzales. The victims in Livingston have been identified as 43-year-old Billy Ernest, 20-year-old Summer Ernest and 17-year-old Tanner Ernest.
