In the quiet neighborhoods of Shreveport, Louisiana, Antonio Deshon Demetrius William, a 52-year-old man, was a familiar and friendly face. For 17 years, he had been a dedicated employee of the U.S. Postal Service, a job he took great pride in. He was more than just a mail carrier to those on his route; he was a friend who would always take a moment to chat and share a kind word.
A grandfather to thirteen, his warm presence was a constant in the community he served.
On the morning of Saturday, June 22, 2019, while making his rounds on Dudley Drive, William's life was tragically cut short. As he approached a residence to deliver the mail, he was shot in the upper body. Emergency services were quickly on the scene, and he was rushed to Ochsners LSU Health Hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal. The senseless act of violence sent shockwaves through the Shreveport community, leaving his family, friends, and the residents he served in mourning.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to a suspect. Within hours of the incident, Shreveport Police obtained an arrest warrant for 32-year-old Michael Gentry. Investigators believe that Gentry was the individual who shot William as he was performing his duties. According to police, there was no apparent dispute or prior altercation between the two men, making the motive for the shooting unclear.
Gentry was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of second-degree murder. It was later revealed that Gentry was a convicted felon and therefore legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. In December 2019, a federal grand jury indicted him on charges of second-degree murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. The case against him involves the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the FBI, highlighting the serious nature of the crime against a federal employee.
