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Crime & Justice • Vigilante

Gary Plauché

Gary Plauché was an American man from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, best known for fatally shooting Jeffrey Doucet at a Louisiana airport in 1984.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Gary Plauché was an American man from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, best known for fatally shooting Jeffrey Doucet at a Louisiana airport in 1984. Doucet had been accused of kidnapping and raping Plauché's son, Jody, and the killing was filmed by a local television crew. Plauché later pleaded no contest to manslaughter and received a suspended sentence, probation, and community service.

Background

Gary Plauché was a Baton Rouge resident and the father of Jody Plauché. He became a public figure because of the case involving his son and Jeffrey Doucet.

The airport shooting

On March 16, 1984, Plauché shot Doucet at the Baton Rouge Metro Airport while Doucet was in police custody. The incident was recorded by a news camera and quickly became a major news story.

Court case and sentence

Plauché was charged with second-degree murder, then resolved the case by pleading no contest to manslaughter. He received a suspended sentence, probation, and community service rather than prison time.

Public legacy

The case has remained notable in U.S. crime history because it raised debate about vigilantism, parental retaliation, and public sympathy for Plauché's actions.

Key facts

  • Gary Plauché fatally shot Jeffrey Doucet at Baton Rouge Metro Airport on March 16, 1984.
  • Doucet had been accused of kidnapping and raping Plauché's son, Jody.
  • The shooting was captured by a local television news crew and received national attention.
  • Plauché pleaded no contest to manslaughter and received a suspended sentence, probation, and community service.
  • He died in Baton Rouge in 2014 at age 68.
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Canadian context

The case is often discussed in Canadian media and true-crime contexts as an example of vigilante justice and a highly publicized U.S. criminal case.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Gary Plauché?
Gary Plauché was an American man from Louisiana best known for fatally shooting Jeffrey Doucet in 1984 after Doucet was accused of kidnapping and raping Plauché's son.
What did Gary Plauché do?
He shot and killed Jeffrey Doucet at the Baton Rouge Metro Airport on March 16, 1984, in a widely publicized act that was later described as vigilantism.
What happened to Gary Plauché?
He was charged with second-degree murder, later pleaded no contest to manslaughter, and received a suspended sentence, probation, and community service.
Is Gary Plauché still alive?
No. He died on October 20, 2014, at age 68.
Where is Gary Plauché now?
He is not living; he died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 2014.
Gary Plauché trial
The case ended in a plea deal after an initial murder charge. Plauché pleaded no contest to manslaughter and was sentenced to seven years suspended, five years' probation, and 300 hours of community service.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Jeffrey_Doucet
    Supports: Identity, shooting of Jeffrey Doucet, charge, plea, sentence, death date
  2. The Advocate — https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/gary-plauche-baton-rouge-man-who-killed-son-s-accused-molester-dies-at-68/article_84864633-78a8-5c45-8b05-466f7d3fbe18.html
    Supports: Death in Baton Rouge, age 68, public legacy, case outcome
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/8486252/a-father-justice
    Supports: Sentence, probation, community service
  4. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/29/jody-plauche-child-abuse-survivor
    Supports: Public discussion of the case and outcome