SPD: Transgender woman found shot dead in apartment

“Investigators are working to determine if gender identification was a factor in her death"
The Caddo coroner's office has identified 77-year-old John E. Pettaway, of Shreveport, as the...
The Caddo coroner's office has identified 77-year-old John E. Pettaway, of Shreveport, as the man who died after his vehicle apparently ran over him just before midnight June 15. [Source: KSLA News 12 file photo]
Published: Oct. 8, 2020 at 4:27 PM CDT
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SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — Authorities have identified a transgender woman who was found shot dead in a west Shreveport apartment.

She is 20-year-old Brooklyn DeShauna Smith, police said.

“Investigators are working to determine if gender identification was a factor in her death,” police Sgt. Angie Willhite said.

Officers were responding to reports of a deceased person when they found Smith’s body just after 2:15 p.m. Wednesday at an apartment complex in the 7200 block of Bernstein Avenue. She had been shot at least once.

An autopsy has been scheduled through the Caddo coroner’s office.

Authorities urge anyone with any information about this homicide to call Shreveport police detectives at (318) 673-6955. Or call the Police Department at (318) 673-7300 and select option 3.

Shreveport-Caddo Crime Stoppers can be contacted by calling (318) 673-7373, visiting the organization’s website or using the P3 Tips app to submit information anonymously.

Crime Stoppers will pay up to $2,000 for information that leads to the identification and arrest of those responsible for Smith’s death.

Copyright 2020 KSLA. All rights reserved.