Man accused of fatal hit-and-run allegedly used baby as a shield before arrest

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - A man is accused of fatally striking a go-kart driver then immediately fleeing the scene Monday night (May 29).

Shreveport Police Department officers responded to a report of a hit-and-run at 9:21 p.m. that occurred in the 3700 block of St. Vincent Avenue. A go-kart had been struck by a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle then fled on foot, leaving the scene of the incident, SPD officials said.

Investigators with the Shreveport investigations unit identified the suspected driver of the Pontiac as 30-year-old Jimitri Johnson. On June 1, a warrant was issued for his arrest on one count of felony hit-and-run.

Upon arrival of the crash site, Shreveport police found an unresponsive man on the roadway who later was identified as 53-year-old Shawn Fitzgerald-Williams. The Shreveport Fire Department arrived and pronounced him deceased at the scene.

The SPD Crash Investigations Unit responded to the scene and determined that Fitzgerald-Williams had been traveling north in the 3700 block of St Vincent Avenue with another male on a small dirt bike. According to officials, the dirt bike had a flat tire and pulled to the side of the roadway. Fitzgerald-Williams turned around and went back to assist with the flat tire; he was then southbound on St. Vincent. Upon reaching his friend on the dirt bike, the go-kart made a U-turn into the northbound lane and was struck by a 2009 Pontiac G8.

Johnson then exited the vehicle and immediately ran away.

On June 29, investigators took Johnson into custody at his home. During a brief standoff, he allegedly attempted to use a small baby as a shield to prevent officers from arresting him.

Johnson was ultimately arrested, and the baby was not harmed, SPD said.

Johnson was transported to the Shreveport Police Complex for interviews with investigators then booked into the Shreveport City Jail on his warrant.

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