Shreveport Police Department
PO Box P • Shreveport, LA 71161 • 318/673-6932 • Fax: 318/673-6933
www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: dec. 18, 2002
Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer
318/673-6932
Traffic stop leads to shooting, pursuit
Shreveport police officers were conducting a traffic stop at 1p.m. today, when the driver of the vehicle drove off, injuring Officer Dean Willis and prompting Cpl. Michael LaSuzzo to take action to save Willis.
The car that was stopped, a white Chevy Malibu, was reported stolen from the 500 block of Lomax on Monday. Four suspects were in the vehicle when the officer stopped it at Texas and Linwood streets. As Officer Willis motioned for the car to stop, the driver reportedly grabbed the officer and took off in the vehicle, dragging Officer Willis a short distance.
While the first officer was being injured, Cpl. LaSuzzo discharged his weapon. The two officers then got into their patrol vehicles and followed the suspect vehicle to the 3500 block of Mabel, where the suspects jumped out of the car and fled.
One of the passengers in the vehicle was shot in the hip and taken to LSU Hospital. He has not been positively identified, but he sustained non life-threatening injuries and will be kept in the hospital overnight for observation.
A second passenger, identified as 39-year-old Donald W. Stephens of Benton, was apprehended a short time later. Stephens was taken to LSU Hospital for examination for unknown injuries he may have sustained during the incident.
Besides recovering the stolen car, officers seized suspected narcotics that was
found in the vehicle.
Stephens will be booked into Shreveport City Jail on a charge of illegal possession of stolen things and for outstanding warrants. Meanwhile, an investigation is underway to determine what charges will be filed against the man who was shot in the hip.
Cpl. LaSuzzo will be placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. Officer Willis was treated for minor injuries to his legs and arms and released from Willis-Knighton North.
Anyone with information about the other suspects is asked to call detectives at 673-6955.
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