VILLE PLATTE, La. (KLFY) – A body found in a Ville Platte ditch is being investigated as a homicide, authorities said.

The Ville Platte Police Department said when they arrived on scene, they found the body of Kelon Shemar Thomas, 23, of Opelousas in the ditch with one gunshot wound. Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.

Ville Platte Police Chief Al Perry Thomas said they are actively investigating a homicide and are confident with their leads.

News 10 spoke with the family who was visibly upset and told us it is too hard for them to say anything right now.

With this being the fourth murder Ville Platte has seen this year, people are speaking out about the gun violence in the area. Olivia Gaspard, the mother of Travin Gallow, who was shot and killed in Ville Platte a few weeks ago, spoke with News 10 about stopping the gun violence and murders.

“I feel every parent should be concerned because if the town’s not safe no more, your kids not safe, y’all not safe, it could be anybody” said Gaspard.