‘We’re not okay’: Shooting victim not notified of gunman’s prison escape

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - The man serving time for injuring teenagers at a house party in 2023 escaped prison, but no law enforcement agency reached out to let victims know, according to family. 

Three years ago, Artavien Green shot six teenagers at a Halloween party in Lake Charles and was arrested the following day. Authorities are now searching for him again after the 20-year-old escaped custody Saturday night from a detention center in Marksville.

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7News reached out to victim Dereka Bell and her family to see how they were doing. Dereka, now in college, was shot in the head at the party.

“We’re not okay,” said her mother, Beulah Bell. “No one contacted us. A friend called us to let us know.”

Beulah and T.J. Bell explained they learned of Green’s escape through social media and friends. 

“No parish called us, not victim services, no one,” said T.J. Bell, who has decades of law enforcement experience. “That’s just not how this should happen.”

Once learning of the escape, the Bells called the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, who later found a vehicle connected to Green abandoned in a grocery store parking lot on Third Avenue in Lake Charles. 

Dereka’s mother said she still suffers from debilitating migraines. Her parents said they are doing everything can to protect her after hearing Green was at large. 

“We’re just trying to keep our baby safe,” said her father, who expressed deep disappointment in not hearing from officials. “[7News] is the first to reach out to us.” 

Green pleaded guilty to aggravated battery in April and was sentenced to nine years with credit for time served.