In the late afternoon of August 12, 2023, a violent encounter in Shreveport, Louisiana's Highland neighborhood resulted in the death of 19-year-old Anthony M. Lee. The incident, which unfolded shortly after 5 p.m. at a business in the 1900 block of Centenary Boulevard, also claimed the life of 18-year-old Martavious D. Henderson. Both young men were from Shreveport.
According to the Shreveport Police Department's investigation, the event began as an armed robbery.
Lee and Henderson, along with a third individual, entered the establishment, which sold tobacco products, phones, and cannabis-related items, and demanded items from the clerk. During the robbery, two of the men reportedly jumped over the counter and took personal items from the clerk, including a handgun. While this was happening, two customers who were inside the store managed to escape to their vehicle, a blue Chevrolet 1500 extended cab pickup, where they armed themselves.
As the three suspects exited the business, they were confronted by the two armed patrons. An exchange of gunfire erupted between at least one of the customers and the suspects. In the shootout that followed, both Anthony M. Lee and Martavious D. Henderson were struck by bullets and died from their injuries at the scene. One of the deceased was found outside the business, while the other was located inside the store. These deaths marked the 51st and 52nd homicides in the City of Shreveport and the 53rd and 54th in Caddo Parish for 2023.
The third suspect, described as a Black male between 5'6' and 5'8' with a slender build and wearing gray shorts and a black hoodie, managed to flee the scene on foot and has not been identified. Shreveport Police detectives are actively investigating the incident, reviewing surveillance footage from the business and surrounding establishments. They have also released photos of the third suspect and the two patrons who were involved in the exchange of gunfire, asking for the public's help in identifying them. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Shreveport Police Department or Caddo Shreveport Crime Stoppers.
