1 dead, 3 wounded after Fourth of July shootout on Jewella Avenue; victim identified

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — One person is dead and three more are wounded as a result of a rolling shootout on the Fourth of July.

It happened around 2:45 p.m. near Jewella Avenue at Meriwether Road near Sports World. At least 17 units with the Shreveport Police Department responded to the scene.

One person was in critical condition after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, including to the head, when he was transported from the scene to a local hospital by Shreveport Fire Department medics. That person — believed to be the lone occupant of the white Charger — later died, a Shreveport police officer confirmed for KSLA News 12.

On Wednesday, July 6, the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as 24-year-old Orlando Puryear Jr.. He died at Ochsner at 3:54 p.m. Monday, just over an hour after he was shot. An autopsy has been ordered. The coroner’s office says this death marks the parish’s 34th homicide of 2022.

KSLA News 12 also sent a crew to Ochsner LSU Health on Kings Highway, where a reporter witnessed an injured person lying on the ground near the ER entrance. Police said that person, a 23-year-old male, sustained multiple gunshot wounds. His injuries are considered non-life-threatening at this time. It’s believed he was involved in the shootout as well.

Another patient also arrived at Ochsner; their condition is currently unknown.

Then, a short time later, a fourth patient arrived at Willis-Knighton South. It’s believed that person was involved in the shooting.

Police believe three vehicles — a red Camaro, a white Charger and a black Challenger — were involved in some sort of shootout on Jewella Avenue near Meriwether Road. Police said people inside the Camaro and the one in the Charger exchanged gunfire. It’s believed the Challenger is the vehicle used to drop off the victims at Ochsner.

Jewella Avenue was closed in both directions at Meriwether while police investigated. The Camaro was abandoned at the scene. Officials said there was a lot of blood there, as well as shell casings.

No suspect is in custody.

Ochsner LSU Health confirmed the hospital was limiting access to visitors. Normal security was present as well. Hospital officials said they had reached out to Louisiana State Police for assistance.

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