In a tragic turn of events stemming from a roadside dispute, Joshua Jermaine Stewart, a 35-year-old man from Denham Springs, Louisiana, lost his life. The fatal encounter unfolded on the evening of August 30, 2023, at the intersection of Juban Road and Brown Road. What began as an argument between the occupants of two separate vehicles escalated with deadly consequences.
Reports indicate that the verbal altercation led to Stewart exiting his vehicle and approaching the other, a truck
driven by a man in his early twenties. It was as Stewart allegedly began pulling on the truck's door handle that the driver discharged a firearm, striking him three times. When deputies from the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office arrived at the scene, they found both Stewart and the shooter present. Stewart was critically injured and immediately transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Joshua Stewart succumbed to his injuries and passed away the following day. The shooter was taken into custody by law enforcement for questioning regarding the incident. After an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office determined that the shooter had acted in self-defense. Consequently, no criminal charges were filed against him.
In the wake of this decision, the family of Joshua Stewart has raised questions about the thoroughness and impartiality of the investigation. They have since retained the services of a civil rights attorney to explore their legal options and seek further clarity on the events that led to Stewart's untimely death. The family has voiced concerns about the handling of the crime scene and the ultimate conclusion that no charges were warranted.
