In the early morning hours of December 9, 2023, the life of 47-year-old Reginald Howard, a Black male from Natchitoches, Louisiana, was tragically cut short. Officers from the Natchitoches Police Department responded to a call of a gunshot victim in the 500 block of Myrtle Drive at approximately 2:06 a.m. Upon their arrival, they discovered Mr. Howard suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
First aid was rendered at the scene, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced deceased by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner's Office.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to the identification of a suspect. Derrick Booker, a 45-year-old male also from Natchitoches, was arrested in connection with the death of Mr. Howard. Booker was taken into custody without incident and has been charged with Second Degree Murder. He was subsequently incarcerated at the Bossier Parish Maximum Security Jail. The Natchitoches Police Department has stated that the investigation remains ongoing and that more details may be released as they become available.
Reginald Howard was a respected figure in his community, known for his dedication to mentoring young athletes. He served as an assistant coach for the Captain Shreve Lady Gator track and field team and also worked as an In-School Suspension facilitator at the same high school. His sudden and violent death sent shockwaves through the school and the wider Natchitoches community, leaving behind a legacy of positive influence on the many students he guided.
