Louisiana deputy to not face charges in fatal 2024 shooting
BASTROP, La. (KTVE/KARD) -- A Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Office investigator who shot and killed a man in November will not face charges in connection with the incident, authorities said.
A Morehouse Parish Grand Jury met in a special session Wednesday to continue its review of a traffic stop in Bastrop where 21-year-old Marquez Crowder was shot and killed by Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Office Investigator Cody Kinnaird on Nov. 23.
The grand jury concluded that Kinnaird's actions were justified and did not indict him.
The grand jury received a report from, and heard the findings of, the Northeast Louisiana Sheriff's Investigative Unit, an independent unit which investigates officer-involved shootings.
According to District Attorney Robert S. Tew, Crowder was a backseat passenger in a vehicle operating without a license plate.
20-year-old Harvey McHenry of Bastrop, who was allegedly in the backseat with Crowder, was indicted by the grand jury on charges of possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute illegal drugs after deputies discovered two assault rifles loaded with 90 rounds of ammunition and drugs in the backseat. According to authorities, Crowder and McHenry fled the scene when Kinnaird approached the vehicle.
Footage from Kinnaird's body camera revealed that Crowder pointed the handgun at Kinnaird multiple times before Kinnaird fired his weapon, killing Crowder, prosecutors said. At the time of the incident, Crowder was free on bail and awaiting trial with McHenry for charges including attempted second-degree murder, conspiracy, carjacking, and illegal use of a dangerous weapon.
McHenry was allegedly armed with a handgun when he fled the scene from the rear passenger door as Kinnaird approached the driver's side to address the traffic violation. According to authorities, McHenry was later arrested and is currently incarcerated in the Morehouse Parish Jail.
At the time of the incident, McHenry was free on bail and awaiting trial for charges including attempted second-degree murder and carjacking stemming from an incident in December 2022 in Bastrop, where two victims were seriously wounded.
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