Investigations into three recent homicides, including two on the Grambling State University campus, are continuing with some information now available on the victims.
Victims in the Oct. 16 shooting at the Peachland Mobile Home Park on U. S. Highway 80 have been identified. Killed in the incident was Zelanz Richard French, 23, of Shreveport. Also injured in the shooting was D’Nique Walker, 22, Shreveport.
French was a former Green Oaks High School athlete, playing basketball and football, including some time as the Giants’ quarterback. Walker played football when he attended Southwood High.
The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Department stated the shooting apparently arose from an argument over a $5 fee when French attempted to park at the mobile home park to attend a GSU Homecoming afterparty nearby.
Sheriff Stephen Williams said no connection has been made between the GSU shootings and the Peachland homicide other than related to Homecoming events. The second campus homicide came just hours after the mobile home park shooting.
The Sheriff’s Department has asked that anyone with information pertaining to this crime to call the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-251-5111. Information can also be submitted to CrimeStoppers of Lincoln Parish by calling 318-255-1111 anonymously.
Little information has been released on the wounded from the two GSU shootings each resulting in one death. Both of the dead were non-students. In a Sunday press conference, officials noted in addition to the deaths, one person was wounded in the Oct. 14 incident and seven on Oct. 17.
Victims of the first campus shooting on Oct. 14 have been identified by Louisiana State Police. A 16-year-old juvenile from Rayville was injured and 19-year-old Damarius Murphy, also of Rayville, died from a gunshot wound.
Of the seven wounded in the Sunday morning incident, one victim was in critical condition and the remaining six had non-life-threatening injuries. Only one of the wounded was a GSU student.
GSU head softball coach Nakeya Hall related on social media that her assistant coach Chelsea Holliday was one of the victims wounded in the Sunday shooting. Hall wrote on Facebook that Holliday’s surgery was successful and that the assistant “is one of the strongest people I know.” Hall added, “I appreciate all the calls and text messages from everyone. The outpouring of support and love has been greatly appreciated.”
Louisiana State Police are investigating the two GSU incidents in conjunction with local agencies.
