Shreveport Police: Shootings Should Decrease

Shreveport Police say the streets are safer after the arrest of ten people they say were terrorizing neighborhoods. The following people were arrested: DeAndra Salone, 24 years old, charged with two counts of distribution of a Schedule I narcotic, and one count each of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and use of a firearm with a drug trafficking crime. Antonio Church, 25 years old, charged with one count each of conspiracy to distribute a Schedule I narcotic and convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Isaac Sims, 26 years old, charged with one count each of distribution of a Schedule I narcotic and use of a firearm with a drug trafficking crime. Brandon Bradford, 27 years old, charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a Schedule I narcotic and two counts of possession of a Schedule I narcotic with intent to distribute. James Bradford, 28 years old, charged with two counts of possession of a Schedule I narcotic with intent to distribute. Eric Walter, 36 years old, charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute a Schedule I narcotic. Derrick Claville, 28 years old, charged with two counts of conspiracy to distribute a Schedule I narcotic. Troy Theus, 26 years old, charged with two counts of convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Theus is currently in the Caddo Correctional Center charged with attempted second degree murder, domestic abuse battery and several other charges. Ebony Sims, 24 years old, charged with one count each of possession of a Schedule I narcotic and possession of a firearm with controlled dangerous substances. Dequan Parks, 31 years old, was arrested back in July as part of this investigation. Parks is in the Caddo Correctional Center charged with attempted first degree murder. Detectives believe Parks shot Antonio Church back on July 10, 2009. Corporal Bill Gooden says the above people were arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into drugs, firearms violations and gang activity. Officers have investigated since February. Corporal Gooden says police are cleaning up the streets "We should see the number of shootings go down. Weve got some very violent folks behind bars where they belong." Since the beginning of 2009, Shreveports seen close to thirty homicides but police say that will change now that ten are off the streets. So as police continue patrolling through neighborhoods laced with drive by shootings and drugs, Corporal Gooden says more arrests could be made and that is good news for people living there. "I think well definitely see a better quality of life." The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Shreveport Police Department, the United States Marshal’s Task Force, and the A.T.F all worked together to make these arrests. Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover released this statement Friday afternoon: "I strongly support the work of the Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Unit and today, I continue to lend my unwavering support and applaud these agencies even more because of the impact this particular investigation will have on our streets, communities, and neighborhoods. This intense and very thorough special operation and ultimate arrest of these particular violent offenders sends throughout the City a strong, clear and very real message that criminal street gangs, their violence and their illegal activities will not be tolerated in Shreveport or Caddo Parish. It goes without saying that these arrests and the ongoing investigation will in many ways make Shreveport a safer place to live especially our children and families. I commend Sheriff Steve Prator and Police Chief Henry L. Whitehorn, the U.S. Marshalls Task Force and Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and maintain my support of this very efficient and effective collaboration."