Trial Continues for Suspect in Shreveport Mass Shooting
SHREVEPORT, La. — The courtroom buzzed with anticipation as the trial of Devin Owen Porter Jr. entered its third day on Thursday, October 24. This trial stems from a tragic mass shooting that occurred downtown Shreveport earlier this year, an event that left the community shaken and searching for answers.
Thursday’s proceedings began with the crucial testimony of Porter’s mother, who was called to the stand. Her emotional presence highlighted the personal stakes involved in this trial, not just for Porter, but for the entire family. During her testimony, she shared a recorded phone call made from jail, where Porter expressed to her that he was supposed to be getting a ride home the night of the shooting and should not have been in the car at all. “I wasn’t supposed to be down there with all that going on,” he told her.
The phone call revealed the complexity of the situation, with Porter’s mother repeatedly defending her son, stating, “He’s not about to take all the charge by himself,” hinting that others could have been involved as well. Her frustration was evident when she asked him, “How you getting a ride and you end up downtown with all that s*** going on?” This query seemed to resonate with many in the courtroom, emphasizing the uncertainty and confusion surrounding the events of that fateful night.
Heated Conversations Behind Bars
As the recording continued, Porter’s mother reacted incredulously to the bond set for her son. “It’s a lot of goddamn money,” she exclaimed, which further highlighted the financial burden that comes with serious criminal charges. The emotional rollercoaster of the conversation painted a picture of a family grappling with the harsh realities of the justice system.
Next, the trial saw the introduction of digital forensics experts, who provided critical evidence from that night. The jurors were shown chilling photographs of other individuals, not Porter, posing with firearms believed to be involved in the shooting—including three guns discovered in the vehicle used in a drive-by incident.
Perhaps the most compelling evidence came from surveillance footage that captured the chaos of the shooting. The video displayed at least two to three individuals firing multiple rounds into a crowd, with one person from the crowd returning fire. It was a harrowing moment that left many in the courtroom unsettled.
Identities and Evidence Collide
The investigation revealed that the shooters reportedly fled the scene in a Hyundai Elantra, which was later found with disturbing evidence—fresh blood and cell phones included. Authorities confirmed that the blood found in the vehicle belonged to 17-year-old Zion Thomas, a young man who had been shot in the back and taken to the hospital. In a twist of events, Thomas initially claimed he was shot elsewhere but ultimately had his story unraveled through DNA evidence. Following an escape to Pennsylvania, Thomas is now in the process of being extradited back to Shreveport.
Throughout the trial, Porter has staunchly maintained his innocence, but the challenge he faces is steep. Surveillance footage painted a stark image, showcasing a man resembling Porter—dressed in a black puffer jacket and black pants with a white stripe—firing an assault-style rifle during the chaos. The clothes he wore when apprehended matched that description, creating further complications in his defense.
As the trial moves toward its conclusion, with closing arguments set to begin Friday, the community continues to hold its breath. Residents are hoping for justice while grappling with the aftermath of a night that forever changed the fabric of downtown Shreveport. Will this trial provide the closure that so many are seeking, or will unanswered questions remain? Only time will tell.
The courtroom awaits, and so does the city of Shreveport.
