Suspect in Shreveport fatal shooting remains at large — and possibly still in Bossier City
Authorities are tight-lipped. Few details have been released.
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Suspect in Shreveport fatal shooting remains at large — and possibly still in Bossier City
An "armed and dangerous" man, suspected of shooting and killing a pharmaceutical rep during an attempted robbery in Shreveport, remains unapprehended — and possibly still in Bossier City.
The manhunt resulted from a fatal shooting at the Walgreens pharmacy on Line Avenue in Shreveport Wednesday morning. The suspected shooter stole the victim's white van and drove it to Bossier City. The vehicle was found in a parking lot near the VOA Independence Lodge on Riverwood Drive in Bossier City.
Airline, Apollo, Greenacres and Plantation Park schools were put on restricted movement as law enforcement scoured the area.
"For the safety of your child and others, please do not call or attempt to go to the school," Bossier Schools said during the incident. "We will not open our doors, answer our phones or dismiss students until law enforcement advises us that it is safe to do so."
Later, the schools were dismissed at their normal time, and police patrolled neighborhoods in the area to ensure students arrived home safely. Parents whose children walked home from school were urged to pick them up.
Authorities tight-lipped
With an "armed and dangerous" suspect on the loose, BossierNow attempted to obtain more information from authorities about where the search was occurring, a description of the suspect and the progress of the investigation.
BossierNow spoke with Bossier City public information officer Louis Johnson early Wednesday evening. Here is that conversation:
Johnson: I'm limited in what I can share because of what I have officially. I have the basics and that's about all. It's the same suspect from Shreveport that evaded arrest and made his way here into Bossier and he is presently still being pursued by local law enforcement officials.
BossierNow: Can you tell me the area that's primarily being searched? Can you define what area citizens need to be aware of and where the suspect may be hidden?
Johnson: It would be in the area of — what is the street? Montgomery. And what is the other street …
BossierNow: Riverwood Drive.
Johnson: Because of the proximity of that area to the elementary schools, several schools were put on restricted movement during that time and then released under normal conditions with additional officers in the area to make sure that the community and the children were safe.
BossierNow: Was the suspect involved in a chase? How did the vehicle end up where he was in that area behind the VOA Independence Lodge?
Johnson: Now that I am not completely sure of, but obviously, he was tracked somehow. Without me going into too much detail, but he was. He was tracked to that location.
BossierNow: There was a report that it was the GM tracking device OnStar that was activated in the van. That was a stolen van, is that right?
Johnson: As I appreciate it, sir.
BossierNow: OK, and so was the van behind the Independence Lodge when it was found?
Johnson: There's a parking lot, and so it was in the parking lot on the exit. It was not on the front street. It was in the parking lot.
BossierNow: OK, do you know about how many block radius is being searched at this point?
Johnson: It would only be a guesstimate in that he was seen at one point, but I'm not sure exactly his location or direction of travel. But law enforcement was tracking that and they have a more of a bead on his location or the area that they think him to be in.
BossierNow: So you're saying, the suspect was seen by authorities?
Johnson: Well, I'm saying that when he came out, they have footage of him.
[Editor's note: Why hasn't the footage been released along with a description of the suspect?]
BossierNow: OK, so it is getting dark, and surely the public is concerned. I'm just trying to understand how far it would go north and south and east and west, that people need to be on the alert.
Johnson: The only reason I've not been more active on this particular case is because it is out of Shreveport, and the investigation is primarily under their jurisdiction. And I did not want to share any information other than that which they wanted to share with the public. So otherwise, we're very concerned, of course, because it's Bossier City; however, as related to investigations and those types of things right now, they are managing it, but I'm standing by to get as much information as I can so that I can make sure that the citizens of Bossier are aware of those that need be to be informed that they are.
BossierNow: OK, do you know if he is suspected to be on foot?
Johnson: I do not know at this point, sir.
BossierNow: Can you share any kind of a description that people need to be on the lookout for?
Johnson: I cannot from my position, and with what has been given to me, I'm not in the position, nor do I have the information at this time.
BossierNow: Is he currently armed?
Johnson: I don't I do not know that to be sure. However, we do know that he was involved in a shooting, so I think it's not unreasonable to approach the situation and the suspect, of course, as though he is.
BossierNow: And he was alone?
Johnson: I don't have that information. I've not been informed nor have I heard of any other suspect, but I do not know that to be for sure.
BossierNow: Can the citizens of Bossier expect any additional information tonight, or what? How can BossierNow reassure the public when they're not getting any information?
Johnson: I appreciate that, and yes, they can. I am in contact with both local law enforcement agencies, being that they would provide me with as much information as they can. I'm aware of the evening cycle, and I wanted to have something out I'm as soon as I could, but one of those things where they're focused on the number of things and public information is important to them, but it's probably not the most important. As relates to them, they wanna make sure that the perimeter is safe, that the citizens are safe, and then as soon as they can, they get that information to myself and to the other entities.
Authorities have not released any further information.
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Bossier City free time calendar
Live music in Bossier City and other notable events in the area for your free time consideration. If you would like to add an event to the Bossier City free time calendar, send the details to email@bossiernow.com.
January 25: Jeff Dunham at the Brookshire Grocery Arena.
January 31: Brooks & Dunn's Kix Brooks returns to his hometown of Shreveport with many of his talented friends for a concert night unlike any other at the Louisiana Grandstand. The concert benefits the non-profit "Hope On The Inside". The early 6:30 pm show is sold out but a late 9:30 pm show has been added.
February 6: Harlem Globetrotters at the Brookshire Grocery Arena.
February 8: Bulls, Bands & Barrels at the Brookshire Grocery Arena
February 15: Priscilla Block in the Paradise Theater at the Margaritaville Hotel and Casino
March 1: Winter Jam 2025 featuring Skillet, Anne Wilson, KB, Colton Dixon, NewSong, Micah Tyler, speaker Zane Black and more at the Brookshire Grocery Arena.
March 1: Muscadine Bloodline in the Paradise Theater at the Margaritaville Hotel and Casino
March 8: Justin Moore and special guest Austin Michael in the Riverdome at the Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City.
March 28: Frank Foster in the Paradise Theater at the Margaritaville Hotel and Casino
March 29-30: Barksdale Air Force Base will host the 2025 Defenders of Liberty Air Show. The two-day event is free and open to the public. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the air show with additional military aerial demonstrations including the C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker, and the first-ever KC-46 Pegasus demonstration, as well as an exciting lineup of civilian acts, featuring Randy Ball, Red Bull Air Force, Smoke N' Thunder Jet Truck, and more. The event will also feature static aircraft displays, interactive STEM exhibits, food concessions, and activities for attendees of all ages.
April 4: Martin Lawrence at the Brookshire Grocery Arena.
April 4: Larry Fleet in the Paradise Theater at the Margaritaville Hotel and Casino
April 25: The 17th Annual Shreveport Blues Festival with performances by: Tucka, King George, Pokey Bear, Marcellus The Singer, J-Wonn, West Love, and TK Soul at the Brookshire Grocery Arena.
May 6: Bonnie Raitt at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium.
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Thank you for the update.