Suspect in SPD officer killing captured

AFTERNOON UPDATE:

Shreveport Police have Grover D. Cannon in custody.

Multiple tips sent to Shreveport police suggested Cannon was in the 3800 block of Jackson Street. Police shut the road down and began an ultimately successful search.

UPDATE: Police have named their fallen officer as Thomas LaValley, who joined the force in 2011.

Police are now searching for Grover D. Cannon in connection with the fatal shooting of an officer last night.

Cannon is also wanted in connection with a shooting that took place July 15.

Around 6 a.m., Jackson, Mississippi, police closed off an area around a bus station and searched Greyhound buses arriving from Shreveport, WLBT reported.

"Thomas LaValley was a best friend in every sense. Just a true genuine person from south Louisiana. You couldn't ask for anyone better to be in your corner," said friend Casey Habich. "He was one of the good guys. He was a caretaker and went above and beyond to make sure his family and friends were always well looked after."

Cannon, of the 3400 block of Judson Street in Shreveport, was being sought by police for shooting 45-year-old Darren Williams on July 15, and has a warrant outstanding for his arrest charging him with one count of attempted second degree murder. Investigators now have charged Cannon with one count of first degree murder.

Stay with the Times as we continue to update this story.

Early a.m. Thursday update:

A Shreveport police officer answering a Wednesday night call was gunned down.

Agents from across the region descended on Queensborough after a 9:14 p.m. call became fatal. Midnight came and police had made no arrest despite more than 70 units called to the scene, backed by helicopters and drones.

Police came to Del Rio Street's 3500 block on a suspicious person call. They expected an armed man inside a home threatening a family member.

When police arrived, someone opened fire. The officer was hit several times and was taken to University Health but died.

Police had not named their lost officer by 12:30 a.m., nor was the shooter captured.

Police locked down Queensborough with help from Bossier City police, sheriff's deputies from Caddo, Bossier and DeSoto, the U.S. Marshals and the Louisiana State Police. They were all hunting whoever fired the killing shots.

Responding officers were intent on capture and clearly anguished. Police expected a long night.

The perimeter from the scene was one square mile wide. Bystanders were ushered out of the immediate area and into a supermarket parking lot. At 12:30 a.m. police were investigating a house Judson Street, but quickly confirmed the shooter was not inside the home.

Shortly after the inquiry on Judson Street, police began investigating an abandoned home on Lakeshore Drive near Jewella Avenue. Caddo Sheriff's Office's tactical force unit joined officer in front of the residence around 2 a.m.

With all eyes, lights and barrels pointed toward the dilapidated home, SWAT approached the front door and, following three verbal warnings, forced entry into the residence.

However, a full sweep of the home by SWAT and K9 units revealed the shooter was not inside. In just moments the tense scene broke and dispersed.

43 units remained on the scene as of 4 a.m.

Original story:

More than 70 law enforcement units responded after 9 p.m. to a call in Queensborough, where the incident occurred.

According to Shreveport Police Department spokesman Cpl. Marcus Hines, the department received a call at 9:14 p.m. about a suspicious person at the 3500 block of Del Rio Street. Hines said a man inside a home on the block was armed and making threats toward a family member.

Hines said when an officer arrived on scene, the subject opened fire.

The officer was taken to University Health in Shreveport with "critical injuries." The department confirmed to The Times just after midnight that the officer died from his wounds.

A perimeter has been set in the Queensborough neighborhood as officers from SPD, the Bossier City Police Department, the Caddo and Bossier sheriff's offices and the Louisiana state police attempted to find the gunman.

Helicopters also were being used in the manhunt.

Officials would not identify the officer and did not provide a detailed description of the gunman.

A Caddo Parish constable's office posted on its Facebook Wednesday night: "May God bless the family of the SPD officer that lost his life tonight serving our city. Please keep this officer's family in your prayers tonight as well as our local law enforcement. He died protecting us.''

Shreveport Chief Willie Shaw said the department will host a press conference Thursday.

Over the past 130 years, almost 50 firefighters and police officers have lost their lives in service to their communities.

Breaking news and crime reporter Zach Beaird is reporting from the scene. Check back for more details.