In a chilling case that underscores the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and communities of color, a lawsuit has been filed against the City of Shreveport and a police officer following the death of Fleen Myles III. The complaint was lodged by Letricia Spann and Fleen Myles Jr., co-administrators of the deceased's estate, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on November 1, 2024. The defendants named are the City of Shreveport and Maverick Caldwell II, an officer with the Shreveport Police Department.
The plaintiffs allege that on November 5, 2023, Fleen Myles III was fatally shot by Officer Maverick Caldwell during an encounter that began as a routine traffic stop. According to court documents, Mr. Myles was merely a passenger in a vehicle stopped for a window tint violation when he was asked to exit the car by Officer Caldwell. After complying, Mr. Myles fled on foot, prompting Officer Caldwell to pursue him. Despite Mr. Myles not posing any immediate threat—his firearm allegedly pointed at the ground throughout—the officer fired four shots at him, striking him multiple times and resulting in his death.
The lawsuit claims this incident is part of a broader pattern of misconduct within the Shreveport Police Department (SPD), highlighting previous cases where officers used excessive force against African American citizens without just cause. The plaintiffs argue that SPD's policies and lack of proper training have led to systemic violations of constitutional rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages for medical and funeral expenses, loss of support, punitive damages against those responsible for these actions, and attorneys' fees under federal law. They argue that these damages are necessary to hold accountable those who violated Mr. Myles’s Fourth Amendment rights through unreasonable seizure and excessive use of force.
Representing Spann and Myles Jr., attorneys Ike Spears from Spears & Spears based in New Orleans and Bakari T. Sellers along with Mario A. Pacella from Strom Law Firm in Columbia have taken up this case with applications for Pro Hac Vice forthcoming.
This case is being heard under Case ID: 5:24-cv-01502 before judges yet unnamed but promises to be pivotal in addressing long-standing issues within local law enforcement practices.