Coroner identifies couple killed in drive-by shooting on Jewella Avenue
Coach reacts to death of former Southwood High cheerleader
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office has released the names of the two people killed in a drive-by shooting Thursday night (Nov. 16) on Jewella Avenue.
They are 24-year-old Jessie Ashley and 23-year-old Kaleah Graham, both of Shreveport. Their deaths mark the 75th and 76th homicides in the parish to date, and 70th and 71st in Shreveport. Autopsies were ordered for both victims.
“She was just such a good kid. I mean, you just couldn’t help but love her,” said Southwood High head cheer coach Destiny Duhon, who remembers Graham as a former cheerleader and as a bright, ambitious and fierce leader.
“Kaleah could brighten up the day. She was just out dancing, carrying on, one of the most caring people you could ever imagine.”
Duhon recalled learning about Graham’s death.
“Our dance line coach called us and left me text messages and said, ‘Hey, that was Kaleah in the car.’ And I was like ‘Our Kaleah?’ And she’s like, ‘Yeah, our Kaleah’.”
Guns and violence are not the way, Duhon said. “I mean, I just wish everyone would start respecting each other and respecting human life.”
Graham was very involved during her time at Southwood High, spending time on both the cheer and dance squads.
“You’re like, ‘Wow, that’s my kid; that’s my heart.’ And all the memories flood back,” Duhon said.
During its game Saturday, the school held a moment of silence for Graham.
Duhon believes Graham’s impact on Southwood High will live on forever.
“Just an amazing, all-around person.”
Twenty-seven Shreveport police units could be seen on Jewella Avenue on Thursday night after two bodies were discovered.
On Nov. 16, officers responded to a report of a shooting just before 7 p.m. in the 7800 block of Jewella Avenue. When they arrived, officers saw a vehicle stalled on the road, officials with SPD said. A man and woman were found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside a white Range Rover.
They are confirmed to be deceased.
At this time, it’s unclear how the shooting happened or the circumstances surrounding it.
Anyone with information is asked to call SPD at 318-673-7300 #3. Those with info can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 318-673-7373.
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