Bethany Arceneaux was the latest woman to be victimized in a case of domestic violence by a former abusive lover. Wednesday afternoon in Lafayette parish, Louisiana, Scott Thomas, 29, refused to let Arceneaux out of their relationship. He stalked her, first at her place of business and then at a daycare center where Ms. Arceneaux would be dropping off their mutual child.
Thomas then violently attacked her in the parking lot of a daycare center while Arceneaux was in her car with her child. According to the Huffington Post, Derrimetrie Robinson had witnessed the event that took place in the parking lot where Thomas confronted and forced his way into Arceneaux’s car and began attacking her. Fearing for her life as well as the life of their two year old child who present in the in the car Ms. Arceneaux began honking the horn, which drew the attention of Ms. Robinson.
Upon arriving at the scene Arceneaux begged Ms. Robinson to take her child. After taking the two year old and running to a place of relative safety, she turned in time to see Thomas dragging Ms. Arceneaux into his white Buick and then speeding away.
While the police managed to find the white Buick owned by Mr. Thomas later in the day, no more information about Mr. Thomas’ whereabouts could be determined until after family members canvassed the surrounding areas with fliers.
On Friday both police and family members who were involved in the search received a tip that would lead to Bethany Arceneaux’s salvation.
While searching in the vicinity of Thomas’ abandoned vehicle, family members met with two locals who told them about a vacant house in the vicinity where Thomas might have taken Bethany. The search party for the final scene comprised of two locals, several members of Arceneaux family that mounted ATV’s and converged on the vacant house. What follows was reported by Daily Advertiser photographer Leslie Westbrook and who spent most of the day with family.
While approaching on foot the party could hear the screams being issued from Bethany Arceneaux. They forced their way into the home and allegedly found Thomas stabbing Areceneaux. Then an armed member of the Arecneaux family who entered the home shot and killed Thomas three times in order to prevent any further harm. At this time no charges will be pressed against family members, but the district attorney may press charges after the autopsy report.
Image Credit: The Huffington Post