In the early morning hours of July 31, 2023, the life of 17-year-old AJaylus Jacaveon Harris, a male from Shreveport, Louisiana, was tragically cut short. Just before 5 a.m., authorities responded to reports of gunfire near the intersection of Poland Street and Alabama Avenue. Upon arrival, they discovered Harris suffering from a gunshot wound to his head.
He was rushed to Ochsner LSU Health hospital, but his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead at 6:53 a.m.
The Shreveport Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the homicide. Their efforts led them to identify suspects in the shooting. On August 11, 2023, investigators arrested 18-year-old Darreyon Marcell Thomas in connection with the incident. Thomas was subsequently charged with one count of second-degree murder for the death of Harris and one count of attempted second-degree murder, as another juvenile was also injured during the shooting.
In addition to the arrest of Thomas, authorities also issued a warrant for a 15-year-old, Kevin Davis Jr., who was considered armed and dangerous. The case against Darreyon Marcell Thomas moved forward, and in November 2023, a Caddo Parish Grand Jury handed down an indictment on charges related to the death of AJaylus Jacaveon Harris and the attempted murder of the other juvenile victim.
