Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode: “He Shot Me on Purpose”: 9yo Drops Bombshell After 10yo Bestie Blasts Him in Playdate Bloodbath
Date: January 22, 2026
Host: Nancy Grace
Contributors: Jennifer Gould

Episode Overview

This Crime Alert episode presents three harrowing cases involving youth and gun violence. Nancy Grace spotlights the shocking shooting of a 9-year-old by his best friend, newly uncovered details about a notorious North Carolina teen gunman, and a father's difficult decision to turn in his own son following a violent crime. The episode aims to interrogate systemic failures, advocate for child safety, and highlight human choices on justice and responsibility.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Playdate Turns Violent: 9-Year-Old Claims He Was Shot On Purpose

[00:00 – 03:11]

• Incident Summary:

  • 9-year-old Trae Michael Ledguise was critically wounded during a playdate in Alexandria, Louisiana, after a 10-year-old friend shot him.
  • The incident, at first seen as an accident, was recast as intentional violence after Trae’s shocking statement to his mother post-surgery.
  • Family details reveal Trae suffered catastrophic injuries, losing a kidney, half a lung, and severe intestinal damage.

• Transformative Testimony:

  • Upon regaining consciousness, Trae immediately accused his friend of deliberate harm.
  • Quote:
    • “When the tube first came out his mouth and he was able to talk, the first word was me Mama. Mama. He shot me on purpose.”
      — Lakeisha Lagergis (Trae’s mother), [01:21]

• Legal Fallout & Community Impact:

  • The unnamed 10-year-old was arrested for aggravated second-degree battery and juvenile possession of a firearm.
  • Ongoing investigation into how a child accessed a loaded gun—rumored link to a suspect family member, with no adults yet charged.
  • Lakeisha Lagergis became a vocal gun safety advocate:
    • Begging, “Parents to take the guns away before another kid is mangled by unsecured weapons.” [Jennifer Gould summary at 01:30]

• Memorable Analysis:

  • “The resilient survivor is back home, but his body remains a roadmap of the trauma he endured.”
    — Jennifer Gould [01:30]

2. Guilty Plea in Raleigh Teenage Massacre Case

[03:20 – 06:14]

• Case Recap:

  • Austin Thompson, now 18, pleaded guilty to a 2022 mass shooting in Raleigh, NC, that claimed five lives and wounded several others.
  • Attack began with the execution of his own brother, escalating to the killings of neighbors and an off-duty police officer.

• Victim’s Family Speaks Out:

  • Quote:
    • “That young man took the best person I had ever met away from me. I don't care why, but I want to...look him in the face when he faces justice.”
      — Robert Steele (fiancé of victim) [03:55]

• Guilty Plea Dynamics:

  • Austin Thompson’s guilty plea brings the case directly to sentencing.
  • Lawyers cite defendant’s severe brain damage from a self-inflicted gunshot, noting he “accepts full responsibility for the deep pain he caused.”
    — [Jennifer Gould quoting court filing, 05:28]

• Legal Consequences:

  • Thompson faces life without parole due to juvenile status at crime time (not eligible for the death penalty).
  • His father, Alan Thompson, previously pled guilty for negligent firearm storage—leaving unanswered questions about motive and accountability for gun access.

3. Tough Love in Georgia: Father Turns In Son Amid Shooting Spree

[06:14 – 07:13]

• Incident Details:

  • In Lovejoy, Georgia, Laquan Stevens, 16, faced arrest after his father turned him in following a shooting. Stevens had shot another teen through a car window and was involved in a secondary shooting spree.

• Noteworthy Parental Decision:

  • The father refused to shelter his son, instead alerting authorities.

  • Quote:

    • “Dad's house is not a safe house for suspects.”
      — Jennifer Gould [06:35]

  • Commentary:

    • “This dad chose justice over a jailhouse, proving that sometimes the most inspiring act of love is tough love.” — Jennifer Gould [06:55]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Trae’s First Words Post-Surgery:
  “Mama. He shot me on purpose.” — Lakeisha Lagergis, [01:21]

• Victim's Family Grief:
  “That young man took the best person I had ever met away from me. I don't care why, but I want to...look him in the face when he faces justice.” — Robert Steele, [03:55]

• Parent’s Tough Decision:
  “Dad's house is not a safe house for suspects.” — Jennifer Gould, [06:35]
  “This dad chose justice over a jailhouse, proving that sometimes the most inspiring act of love is tough love.” — Jennifer Gould, [06:55]

Conclusion

Nancy Grace’s succinct, punchy Crime Alert delivers a harrowing portrait of children both as victims and perpetrators—and families grappling with unimaginable decisions. With expert commentary and community voices, the episode critically examines the intersections of gun access, juvenile crime, accountability, and parental responsibility, urging listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about youth and violence in America.