A simmering disagreement over late-night fireworks on the Fourth of July in 2016 tragically escalated, leaving a Shreveport man dead from a gunshot wound. Antonio Collins, a 33-year-old male, was killed on that Monday night in a confrontation that also left another man wounded. The holiday celebrations in the 2400 block of Coral Avenue took a dark turn just after 10:00 p.m., culminating in the violent end to a dispute between neighbors.
The altercation began as a verbal spat between
Antonio Collins and 32-year-old Exzavious Thomas concerning fireworks being set off by youths in the neighborhood. As the argument intensified, both men produced handguns. According to police reports at the time, it was alleged that Collins fired his weapon first, striking Thomas. Wounded, Thomas returned fire, and a single bullet struck Collins in the chest. Both men were transported to University Health for their injuries.
Despite medical efforts, Antonio Collins succumbed to his gunshot wound at the hospital. Exzavious Thomas survived and was subsequently charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The initial police reports indicated that the investigation into the shooting was ongoing. However, publicly available information does not specify whether the shooting of Antonio Collins was ultimately ruled as self-defense on the part of Thomas or if any further charges were brought against him in relation to Collins' death.
