A family is looking for answers after a Morehouse Parish officer-involved shooting

MOREHOUSE PARISH La. (KNOE) – On Tuesday, November 26, a local family protested outside the Morehouse Sheriff’s Office following an officer-involved shooting that occurred over the weekend.

According to the Northeast Louisiana Sheriff’s Investigative Unit (NELA SIU), a Morehouse Parish deputy conducted a traffic stop on Carbon Plant Road on Saturday, November 23 at approximately 8:50 p.m.

Officers say that during the stop, a male passenger armed with a handgun exited the vehicle and fled.

Initial investigations indicate that the deputy shot the suspect. Officials say the suspect was then taken to Morehouse General Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

A local family says they believe the man who was shot by the officer was their relative, 22-year-old Marquez Crowder.

The family says they cannot rest until they receive answers and justice.

22-year-old Marquez Crowder’s aunt, Shonnie Trotter, says she is her family’s voice and shares their pain.

Trotter says she asked the Louisiana State Police to take over the investigation on Tuesday, November 26.

“We have a strong church family, we believe in God and we know how to forgive because we know that to forgive is the only way we will get through this. I don’t know if this will open the eyes of our teenagers in this community or not, but I know that my nephew’s death was not in vain. He died for a purpose, and that purpose is to ensure that there is justice in our community,” said Shonnie Trotter, Marquez Crowder’s aunt.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Monroe City-Ouachita Parish Chapter says it supports the Lee and Crowder family during this difficult time.

“We know that a routine traffic stop led to the death of a young man that should never have happened. We are here to support the Crowder and Lee family as they seek answers and justice, so they know they are not alone in this ordeal. As we enter the Thanksgiving holiday, we have suffered another tragic loss,” says NAACP Monroe City-Ouachita Parish Branch President Verbon Muhammad.

In a press release, NELA SIU stated in part: “We understand that incidents like these are of public concern and we are committed to transparency as the investigation progresses. Updates will be provided as additional information becomes available. “

This is all the information we have at the moment.

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