In the summer of 2019, a dispute at a Shreveport, Louisiana apartment complex tragically cut short the life of 25-year-old Deverous D. Holden. On the afternoon of June 12th, Holden was at the 'Country Corner' apartments on Stoner Avenue, helping his cousin move out of her upstairs unit. Also present at the complex was LeDarron Demarion Carter, the boyfriend of a downstairs tenant, Tamara Baker.
An argument erupted between Holden and Baker, escalating quickly.
In response to the confrontation involving his girlfriend, Carter retrieved a handgun and shot Holden multiple times as Holden was attempting to flee. One of the shots, which struck Holden in his side, proved to be fatal. He was unarmed at the time of the shooting. In the immediate aftermath, Carter was seen brandishing the weapon at individuals who tried to come to Holden's aid as he lay on the ground. Carter then fled the scene.
Shreveport Police arrested Carter later the same day. During his initial interrogation, Carter denied shooting Holden and claimed his girlfriend, Tamara Baker, was the one who fired the weapon. He later altered his statement, admitting he took the gun from her and disposed of it. The firearm used in the shooting was never recovered by law enforcement.
Carter was initially charged with second-degree murder. His trial took place in September 2021, and after five days of proceedings, a jury found him guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter. The court adjudicated Carter as a second-felony offender, and he was subsequently sentenced to 60 years at hard labor without the possibility of probation or suspension of his sentence. During the sentencing hearing, Holden's mother spoke of the profound impact of her son's death on her health and on his four young children. Carter offered a statement to the court, expressing some remorse but also maintaining that he did what he thought was right as a man.
