Violent weekend spurs messages from mayor to criminals, citizens

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) - Another violent weekend in Shreveport led the city's mayor to hold a news conference at the site of one of those shootings.

One man has died as a result of a shooting at Jewella Avenue at Jackson Street.

Three other men were wounded in a shooting in the 4900 block of Jewella.

And another man was shot in the face on Legardy Street.

On Monday, Shreveport police and community leaders joined Mayor Ollie Tyler at noon as she delivered two strong but separate messages to criminals and citizens.

"I want to say to our community and to our citizens, we are fed up with those that have created fear and suffering."

Tyler also delivered a stern warning to criminals: "I'm here to remind the criminals in this city that we are coming after you!"

She made her remarks at Jewella at Jackson, site of the city's 25th homicide this year.

Shreveport had recorded 34 homicides as of this time last year.

The mayor also reminded the public that crime still is down 15 percent when compared to 2017.

She also insisted they're on the right track to stop the violence.

"Every once in a while we have an uptick. And we had that this weekend. And we had some last weekend," Tyler said.

"But we have put in place a plan and a strategy. The strategies have been working."

The mayor also made a plea to the public for more help reporting crime.

Deputy Chief Bill Goodin explained that there's a common denominator in many violent crimes: the shooter was not supposed to have a gun in the first place.

"They are a repeat offender who is a convicted felon and may not possess that weapon. And I think that's crucial in that someone out there knew or knows that they had that weapon," Goodin said.

And when you speak to people who live in the neighborhood, several bring up a sometimes powerful crimefighting tool - surveillance cameras.

Pat Whitehurst is among those who said she's now urging the city to consider putting such cameras in high-crime areas to make people think twice before committing a crime.

Tyler said it also is important to remember that much of the crime is not random. Instead, many cases involve personal relationships that turn violent. And those crimes are difficult to prevent, she added.

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