In the early hours of a Sunday morning in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana, the life of 20-year-old Daymian Malik Taylor was tragically cut short. On April 19, 2020, just after 3 a.m., Shreveport Police were called to the 700 block of Edwards Street, a bustling area known for its nightlife, following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, officers discovered a chaotic scene and a young man suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body.
Emergency services rushed Daymian to Ochsner
LSU Health hospital, but despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. The initial investigation painted a picture of a senseless act of violence. Daymian, a Black male, had been enjoying a night out with friends when an argument is believed to have broken out. The verbal dispute quickly escalated, culminating in gunfire. He was an innocent bystander, not the intended target of the shooter.
In the days that followed, the Shreveport Police Department diligently worked the case, gathering evidence and speaking with witnesses. Their investigation led them to identify 23-year-old Eric Dewayne Collins, Jr. as the primary suspect. Collins was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of second-degree murder in connection with Daymian's death.
Further legal proceedings saw Eric Collins face the consequences of his actions. In March 2022, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter. The court sentenced him to 17 years in prison at hard labor for his role in the death of Daymian Taylor, bringing a measure of closure to a case that began with a night of intended revelry and ended in profound loss.
