SHREVEPORT, La. — A wave of grief and outrage has swept through Shreveport after authorities confirmed that 28-year-old Labriesha Patterson was the victim of a fatal drive-by shooting late Monday night on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
The attack occurred just before 10:30 p.m. on August 18, 2025, in the 1600 block of MLK Drive. According to investigators, Patterson was traveling northbound when gunfire erupted from a passing vehicle, striking her multiple times.
Emergency responders rushed her to Ochsner LSU Health hospital, but despite efforts to save her life, she was pronounced dead at 11:07 p.m.
Investigation Underway
The Shreveport Police Department is leading the investigation as detectives work to determine whether Patterson was targeted or an innocent victim of escalating street violence. No suspects or vehicle descriptions have yet been released.
An autopsy has been ordered by the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office to confirm the exact cause of death, as authorities continue piecing together the tragic events of that night.
Officials are urging anyone with information to come forward, stressing that community cooperation is vital to solving the case. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Caddo Crime Stoppers.
A Growing Toll of Violence
Patterson’s killing marks Shreveport’s 24th homicide of 2025, and the 29th in Caddo Parish this year. The rise in gun violence has left residents increasingly fearful, demanding stronger action from leaders to bring peace to their neighborhoods.
“Too many lives are being stolen from us,” one community activist said Tuesday morning. “We can’t keep burying our children and pretending this is normal.”
Remembering Labriesha Patterson
Those who knew Patterson described her as a vibrant young woman with her future ahead of her. Friends, family, and neighbors have begun gathering near the site of the shooting, leaving flowers, candles, and heartfelt messages in her memory.
“She didn’t deserve this,” one neighbor said through tears. “She was full of life, and now she’s gone because of senseless violence.”
A Call for Justice
As the investigation continues, police are appealing to the public for patience and support, noting that even the smallest piece of information could help bring those responsible to justice.
“This community is hurting,” a Shreveport Police spokesperson said. “We are committed to finding out who did this and holding them accountable.”
For now, a grieving family and a shaken city mourn yet another life lost — a reminder of the urgent need to confront violence before more futures are cut short.