KTBS investigation reveals disturbing numbers as Shreveport is on record pace for homicides | 3 Investigates
SHREVEPORT, La. — Shreveport is on a document tempo for homicides in 2021. The present document is 86 killings set in 1993.
A deeper evaluation of the homicides throughout 2021 exhibits most are dedicated in just some native zip codes.
At present tempo, Shreveport would find yourself at 93 homicides — seven greater than 1993, town’s most violent yr ever.
3 Investigates has been monitoring murder knowledge and statistics all yr and analyzed the data for a latest report.
Here’s what we discovered:
Yolanda Braziel exhibiting reminiscences of her son. (Picture by Invoice Lunn, KTBS TV)
The speed of murder in Shreveport this yr is 38.4 per 100,000. That’s practically six instances the nationwide fee, which is 6.5 per 100,000, based on FBI statistics. That will place Shreveport fifth within the nation in murder fee this yr — evaluating to the identical FBI statistics.
Moms like Yolanda Braziel are feeling the ache.
“Detectives got here to my home, and so they advised me that my son was killed, and that he died a hero,” Braziel mentioned in a KTBS interview, explaining that her son helped some youthful children get down on the bottom when the pictures rang out.
Kelvin Braziel, 23, was shot and killed March 10 within the 100 block of Hamilton Road, about three blocks from dwelling.
“It is indescribable. It is so hurtful. I cry day by day. And I cry each evening,” Braziel mentioned.
Kelvin is an element of what’s sadly a document tempo of killings in Shreveport in 2021.
KTBS wished to take an excellent nearer look to indicate the place probably the most challenged areas are, breaking down homicides by zip code.
Kelvin Braziel was killed in zip code 71101. He is considered one of three males killed on this space of Lakeside/Allendale this yr.
KTBS’ evaluation discovered two different Shreveport zip codes account for practically half of all killings within the metropolis, 47.8%.
In zip code 71108, there have been 14 killings this yr. It’s an space west of Interstate 49, south of Halfway, and north of Louisiana Freeway 3132 (the Interior Loop).
However the deadliest zip code in Shreveport is 71109. The zip falls alongside the Interstate 20 hall, largely west of Jewella Avenue. To date this yr 20 folks have been killed there by violence.
In truth, the disaster is so concentrated in Shreveport that simply town’s prime three zip codes have extra homicides this yr than the complete cities of Boston, St. Paul, Minnesota and Omaha, Nebraska, all larger cities than Shreveport.
Different zip codes of concern embody 71106, hugging I-49 by means of the Cedar Grover neighborhood the place 13 folks have been killed this yr, together with three early Thursday morning.
In zip code 71107, which falls alongside North Market Road, 10 folks have been killed this yr.
Including collectively Shreveport prime 4 zip codes for homicides, 71109, 71108, 71106, and 71107, accounts for greater than 75% of all killings within the metropolis this yr.
Kelvin Braziel, 23, was shot and killed March 10 in Shreveport within the 100 block of Hamilton Road. His mom Yolanda remains to be ready for solutions about who’s accountable. (Offered picture)
Heading again to Shreveport’s deadliest zip code, 71109, there have been 20 homicides in an space with just below 20,000 folks. The murder fee alone for this zip code is at the moment 102 per 100,000.
If this space have been its personal metropolis, it could have the very best murder fee within the nation, when put next with FBI statistics. Probably the most violent metropolis in America at the moment is St. Louis with 64 homicides per 100,000.
Different statistics popping out of our investigation present murder victims in Shreveport are youthful than the remainder of the nation. The common age in Shreveport this yr is 27.4.
Of the 77 folks killed to date this yr, 75 have been killed by gunfire, 93% of victims have been black, and 89% of victims have been male.
For Yolanda Braziel, all these numbers will not deliver again her son and so they do not actually soothe a mom’s ache.
“As a mom I really feel I robbed. It is mindless violence and it is weapons. and it is at all times the harmless particular person.” Yolanda Braziel mentioned.
However she did say she hopes one thing will be accomplished, so different moms do not endure as she is.
‘He was my rock, I am gonna miss him. You understand, folks do not understand what they take from you,” Yolanda Braziel mentioned.
