The Law Office of Malcolm X. Larvadain, Inc.

02/21/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COUNCILMAN LARVADAIN FILES WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT SEEKING JUSTICE FOR FOUR CHILDREN WHO LOST THEIR MOTHER TO PREVENTABLE VIOLENCE

Alexandria, LA – February 20, 2026

On February 9, 2026, I filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of four innocent children who lost their mother, Keely Brand, in a senseless execution-style killing at Alexandria Housing Authority apartments on April 13, 2025. This tragedy should never have happened, and I am committed to holding those responsible accountable.

As your City Councilman for District 1 and as the attorney representing these children, I am speaking out: this type of violence is NOT WANTED and will NOT be tolerated in District 1.

THE PREVENTABLE TRAGEDY:

Keely Brand was murdered in broad daylight at the Alexandria Housing Authority complex on the 2200 block of East Sycamore Street—a property owned and operated by Standard Enterprises, Inc. This was not the first violent incident at this location. Four months earlier, there was another shooting at the same complex. Despite this known danger, no action was taken to protect residents.

Keely’s four children—Kayden (age 5), Kaycen (age 3), Kaydence (age 4), and Kay’Ron (age 2)—are now being raised by their grandmother. These babies lost their mother because the Housing Authority and Standard Enterprises failed in their duty to provide basic security and protect their tenants.

ACCOUNTABILITY MATTERS:

Standard Enterprises and Alexandria Housing Authority had a legal duty to protect their residents. They knew this complex had a history of violence. They knew shootings were occurring. Yet they failed to:

✓ Maintain proper security measures ✓ Hire qualified security personnel
✓ Warn residents of the dangerous environment ✓ Take action after the first shooting to prevent future violence

This execution-style killing in broad daylight was PREVENTABLE. Our lawsuit seeks full accountability and justice for these four children who will grow up without their mother.

DISTRICT 1 DESERVES BETTER:

As your District 1 City Councilman, I work every day to make our neighborhoods safer and better for families. We will not accept property owners who profit from our community while failing to protect the residents who live there.

Every mother, every child, every family in District 1 deserves to feel safe in their home. When landlords and housing authorities fail this basic duty, they must be held accountable.

WE WILL GET JUSTICE:

To Kayden, Kaycen, Kaydence, and Kay’Ron: Your mother loved you. This community will not forget her. We will fight for you and ensure those responsible answer for this preventable tragedy.

To the residents of District 1: I hear you. I see you. You deserve safe housing, and I will continue fighting to ensure property owners meet their responsibilities to our community.

This lawsuit demands full accountability from Standard Enterprises and Alexandria Housing Authority for their negligence that cost Keely Brand her life and four children their mother.

Contact:
Malcolm X. Larvadain
City Councilman, District 1
Attorney at Law
Law Offices of Malcolm X. Larvadain
626 Eighth Street
Alexandria, Louisiana 71301
(318) 445-3533
[email protected]
Case: Lacy Rhone, on behalf of minor grandchildren, v. Standard Enterprises, Inc. and Alexandria Housing Authority
Ninth Judicial District Court, Rapides Parish, Louisiana

11/01/2025

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📍 Law Office of Malcolm X. Larvadain
626 Eighth Street, Alexandria, Louisiana 71301
📞 318-445-3533

04/28/2025

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02/23/2023

FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL REVERSES LOWER COURT DECISION ON FRANKLIN PARISH SCHOOL BOARD RACIAL DISCRIMINATION CASE


PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FEBRUARY 23, 2023

Justice has been served in the case of Watson v. School Board of Franklin Parish. Ms. Esther Watson, the plaintiff and a Black career educator, had formally applied for the Principal position at Winnsboro Elementary School during the 2017-2018 school year. Her application was rejected by the School Board of Franklin Parish in favor of Scott McHand, a white man with less than a decade of educational experience.

Ms. Watson secured the legal services of the Law Offices of Malcolm X. Larvadain, Inc. and the firm sued the School Board of Franklin Parish on her behalf citing that she had been the victim of racial discrimination. Following the District Court’s dismissal ruling, Attorney Malcolm X. Larvadain took the case to the United States Court of Appeal, Fifth Circuit. In the mid-Black History Month ruling issued on February 16, 2023, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal concluded that given the stark differences between the two applicants’ levels of qualification, a jury could “find that no reasonable person could have selected McHand over her in the absence of racial discrimination.”

Giving his thoughts on the matter, Attorney Malcolm X. Larvadain opined, “We believe that the School Board’s decision to overlook a highly qualified African-American woman and choose a white man with far less qualifications and experience was racially biased, carelessly dismissive, and totally unacceptable. Ms. Watson’s dedication to the empowerment and upliftment of the students at Winnsboro Elementary School took the school from an F-grade school to a B-grade school, but after Mr. McHand took over, the school regressed to an F-grade school once again!”

Ms. Watson has a collective 45 years of dedicated service to the holistic educational development of youth. In addition to being a teacher for 20 years, she has served in many positions within the Louisiana educational system such as a junior high school Principal, and a Child Welfare and Attendance Supervisor. She also has a Masters of Education and numerous other certifications that include, but are not limited to, certifications to serve as a principal and also to serve as superintendent.

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