Shreveport Police detectives have concluded their investigation into an officer involved shooting that occurred in the early morning hours of October 12th.
Detective Sgt. Brian Strange advised that the investigation is complete and the results have been turned over to the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office so that they may review the findings.
The incident began around 2:15 a.m. on October 12th, as patrol officers chased several suspects on foot in Shreveport’s Queensborough neighborhood. The chase started after a patrol supervisor conducted a traffic stop, during which the occupants of the vehicle fled. Officer Chad Dailey, a two year veteran of the department, attempted to stop and question a possible suspect in the 3800 block of Sumner St. In an apparent effort to elude capture, the suspect fled on foot. According to Officer Dailey, as he gave chase, the suspect pulled what appeared to be a chrome handgun from his pants. Officer Dailey subsequently discharged his service weapon at the suspect, who continued to flee. The suspect was able to evade the officer, and after a lengthy search, officers were unable to locate him.
Four days later, Shreveport Police detectives received information that the suspect had a minor wound, but was hiding out and refusing to seek medical treatment. According to the information given to investigators, the suspect did not want to go to back to jail. Working around the clock, detectives were able to make contact with the suspect and start a dialogue with him. Fearing the suspect would develop serious medical problems as a result of his failure to seek treatment, detectives made an agreement with him that they would not immediately arrest him if he would go to the hospital. Police told the suspect that the case would be turned over to the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office for review. The suspect agreed and investigators arranged for him to be transported to LSUHSC by the Shreveport Fire Department. The suspect was subsequently treated and released from the hospital.
The suspect, whose name is not being released at this time, admitted to detectives that he had been selling narcotics in the Queensborough area throughout the night. He further advised that he was still in possession of crack and powdered cocaine when approached by the officer and, as he fled, he threw the illegal narcotics in a ditch.
According to Police Chief Jim Roberts, the Internal Affairs investigation has been completed and their findings are that the officer acted in self defense within departmental policies. Chief Roberts advised that once detectives learned the suspect had been injured, their primary concern was convincing him to get to the hospital and receive the medical attention he required. Chief Roberts said, "This was a very unusual case. The detectives were right to be more concerned about getting medical treatment for the suspect than making an arrest."
Officer Dailey was placed on administrative leave with pay following the shooting, but has been returned to duty. The District Attorney’s Office will review the case and determine what charges the suspect might face.