The Shreveport Police officer-citizen fatality in the MLK area on Friday night received press coverage as early as 8:30 a.m. on Sat. morning. The report stated the Louisiana State Police (LSP) was conducting the investigation.
Sat. at 5:30 p.m., a press release was issued by the Shreveport City Council Clerk Kendra Joseph stating that members of the council would hold a press conference today (Mon.) on the fatality.
Yesterday (Sun.) at 11:50 a.m. the Caddo Coroner issued a press release on the fatality naming the deceased person.
Finally, Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux issued a press release at 2:45 p.m. yesterday (Sun.)
The release mirrored the Sat. a.m. TV report that the LSP was conducting the investigation.
Why the mayor was the last to issue a press release is unknown, and it is very unfortunate.
SPD Chief Wayne Smith was on the scene after the shooting and the LSP had already arrived and started the investigation. Why the SPD did not issue a timely press release Sat. in unknown, and that also is unfortunate.
NOW, to the press conference at 9 a.m. this morning (Mon.).
Council members James Green, Tabatha Taylor and Alan Jackson were in attendance. An Open Meetings Law violation would have occurred if a fourth council member had appeared.
Council chair Green stated no questions would be allowed because they may interfere with the LSP investigation.
Council member Tabatha Taylor then read a statement that all but indicted the unnamed police officer stating that incidents like this should never happen again. That statement alone could unduly affect the LSP investigation.
Despite Green's statement of no questions would be allowed, Taylor gave a one-on interview with a TV reporter after the meeting in a secluded area away from other members of the press.
Numerous pastors gave prayers, many of which again implied guilt by the police officer. None of them mentioned the SPD officer who was involved as if he did not need prayer himself.
The reference to another Memphis in a prayer was certainly uncalled for and very disappointing...
SPD Chief Wayne Smith made comments with no mention of the plight of the SPD officer who could have been acting in self-defense.
Last up on the podium was Mayor Arceneaux who reiterated that the city would fully cooperate with the LSP in the investigation.
There was a heavy presence of SPD officers in the room, probably over 10. And City Marshal Jefferson attended with two of his staff.
The press conference did not identify the police officer nor state that he was on administrative leave as per the protocol with the LSP investigating.
Rabblerouser Breka Peoples was in the parking lot addressing several citizens. Seemingly the stage is set for protests without facts, which is clearly different from the Memphis incident.
One could say that the mayor's "honeymoon" has now ended. By his own inaction he allowed himself to be upstaged by a minority of the city council.