‘Justice for Tommie’: Protesters at City Council meeting call for firing of SPD officers involved in Tommie McGlothen Jr.’s death

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Members of a number of social justice organizations gathered Tuesday, Nov. 9 to demand the firing of the officers involved in the death of Tommie McGlothen Jr. in 2020.

McGlothen’s family, along with local and statewide activists met outside Government Plaza and walked in together to attend Shreveport’s City Council meeting.

This comes just days after KSLA News 12 discovered dash cam video of McGlothen’s encounter with police.

After being escorted out of the council chambers by police, McGlothen’s family says they are still searching for answers and accountability a year and a half later.

“It took an outside investigation with KSLA to recover video to release of what happened to our father,” said Tommie McGlothen III, McGlothen’s son. “We demand the firing of those officers. That was the purpose of why we were here today. They still have their job after what the community has seen and what the family has seen.”

The family is calling for the firing of Officers Brian Ross, James LeClare, Treona McCarter and D’Marea Johnson in connection to the in-custody death of Tommie McGlothen Jr.

A trial date of Dec. 13 has been set for the officers who face charges including negligent homicide. At least three have pleaded not guilty.

“He was beat out of his clothing,” said Laquita McGlothen, his sister. “So explain to me how they are still employed by the city of Shreveport while we had to watch these horrific images are burned into my brain and I will see them for the rest of my life. I knew he was gone and I knew there was an incident, but I had no idea that it was that horrible. We had to sit there and watch that as a family and there is no coming back from watching those images in your mind. Ever.”

Groups involved in the planned protest include The People’s Promise, The Village 337, Black Women Fighting 4 Black Men, and Be the Village Louisiana. The groups plan to gather at Government Plaza in Shreveport at 3 p.m. They’re demanding “justice and accountability” for McGlothen’s death.

The groups say they want the Department of Justice to conduct an internal investigation at the Shreveport Police Department.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

• KSLA discovers dash cam video that gives clearer picture of what happened to Tommie McGlothen Jr.
• Tommie McGlothen Jr.’s son speaks on his father’s death while allegedly in police custody
• KSLA Investigates reveals video of Tommie McGlothen’s last encounter with police
• Sources: Officers in McGlothen case indicted
• Four officers indicted in McGlothen death turn themselves in
• City of Shreveport served with $25 million settlement demand in police custodial death of Tommie McGlothen Jr.

Copyright 2021 KSLA. All rights reserved.