Shreveport’s National Night Out Celebrates Community Spirit and Highlights Decline in Violent Crime Rates

Shreveport Celebrates National Night Out with Community Spirit

On a beautiful Tuesday evening, the vibrant city of Shreveport was alive with laughter, community spirit, and the delicious aroma of home-cooked meals. As neighborhoods throughout the parish gathered to participate in National Night Out, residents and local officials came together to celebrate safety and community. It was a delightful occasion for my staff and me to connect with families at various gatherings, sharing in the festive atmosphere filled with hospitality and scrumptious food.

Great News for Shreveport and Caddo Parish

The delightful energy of the night was further amplified by some promising news shared just the week before. I had the pleasure of joining forces with Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith, Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr., and U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown to inform the community that violent crime rates in our city and parish have drastically declined. This remarkable achievement is a strong testament to the hard work and cooperation of local law enforcement and our community.

Our dedication to improving public safety was underscored by the announcement of our participation in a Public Safety Partnership federal grant program. For detailed information on this initiative, please head over to the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Facebook page. We truly appreciate everyone playing their part in making our community a safer place, and I assure you that my office remains committed to this important work.

September’s Legal Updates

As we enjoyed the festivities, I couldn’t help but reflect on what a busy month September was for our office. There were some noteworthy legal proceedings that took place which are worth mentioning:

Manslaughter Conviction in Highland Neighborhood

A Shreveport man was found guilty of manslaughter after firing multiple shots at a romantic rival in a Highland neighborhood. The trial concluded on September 27 when jurors unanimously convicted Antonio LeCedric Ray Johnson for the deadly act that took place in May 2020. The prosecution laid out a compelling case, presenting eight witnesses during the trial, with Johnson claiming he acted in self-defense.

Sentencing for Child Molestation

In another disturbing case, Parrish Lynn Bernard pleaded guilty to molestation of a juvenile. Bernard committed offenses against a young girl while she was under his supervision, leading to a sentence of 20 years in prison.

Tragic Slaying of Landry Anglin

In the heart-wrenching case involving the death of Landry Anglin, two defendants were convicted. Gavontay Johnson pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice related to the tragic incident where a stray bullet claimed the life of the 13-year-old girl. Another co-defendant received a life sentence for his role in the shooting that triggered this painful event.

Multiple Convictions for Gun Violence

The courtroom was also busy the week of September 19, with several individuals connected to gun violence incidents being convicted and sentenced. Notably, two men involved in a shooting that resulted in a fatality at the former Kingston Village Apartments have each been sentenced to 15 years at hard labor.

Community Commitment Continues

Each of these cases underscores the ongoing challenges we face concerning public safety in our beloved Shreveport. However, the robust participation of our community and law enforcement efforts gives us hope that we are moving in the right direction. We remain determined to tackle these issues through collaboration and a strong commitment to justice.

Conclusion

As we concluded another busy month at our office, I look forward to what October holds for us. The community spirit displayed during National Night Out reaffirms our belief in unity, cooperation, and shared accountability in building a brighter future for Shreveport. Thank you all for your continued support and participation in making our neighborhoods safer and stronger!