Coroner Identifies Four Victims Of Shreveport July 4th Mass Shooting

Four people were killed and seven others injured during a shooting at a Shreveport block party. A Louisiana coroner’s office has identified the four victims as Syncere Brown, 17, Jarike Dorsey, 19, Moriz Aziz, 22, and Demorie Williams, 24.

Dorsey and Aziz were pronounced dead at the scene. Williams succumbed to his injuries shortly after the shooting at a local hospital. Brown was not discovered until the following morning, according to Sgt. Angie Willhite. Whillhite told People that Brown’s body was discovered in a wooded area near the party.

Autopsies have been ordered for all four of the victims. 

Willhite said that six of the seven people that were shot and survived sustained non-life-threatening wounds. One person was listed in critical condition. 

Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said that multiple males exchanged gunfire, but what led to the incident is unclear. No suspects have been identified. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Cado Shreveport Crime Stoppers. 

“We need your help,” Smith said. “Many of you that are listening or will see this were here last night and saw what happened. Many of you have heard what happened. We ask that you please give us a call. Help us to bring those who are responsible for this to justice.”

Councilwoman Tabitha Taylor said the shooting lasted for almost 15 minutes. She said now she is looking for justice for the families affected by the shooting. 

“I don’t know why you would come to an event that is a family event that has taken place for 10 plus years without incident and ruin this event for those looking to have nothing but a good time,” she said.

Taylor said the event is an annual community event. More than 200 people attended the block party.

A vigil for the victims was held on Thursday night at the corner of Jones Mabry and Pearl Street, where the shooting started. Members of the victim’s families were in attendance. 

A local funeral director, Brandon Patterson, has kindly offered his assistance to the families, according to KSLA. 

“I just felt like I had to do something,” Patterson, the director of Shreveport Funeral Home & Cremation, said. “And being in the death-care industry, this is my way of giving back to my own neighborhood.”