Questions swirl around fatal shooting of six year old Louisiana boy by city marshals, are you following this story?

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 08:24:32 -0500

An unfortunate horrific ending for this little boy...
I hope everything is sorted out soon. He didn't deserve to go out like this...
Sleep well, little man, God's got ya...

Louisiana's top state police official told NBC News on Sunday that it is still unclear why two city marshals chased an SUV last week and opened fire on it, allegedly killing a 6-year-old autistic boy and seriously wounding his father.

Jeremy Mardis, who was buckled in to the SUV's front seat, was pronounced dead after being struck by five bullets Tuesday night in Marksville, Louisiana; he is scheduled to be buried Monday in the city cemetery in Beaumont, Mississippi. Mardis' father, Chris Few, remains hospitalized and in serious condition.

"We've got to find out what caused those officers to effect that pursuit, to effect that traffic stop, and what caused them to fire their weapons," Col. Michael Edmonson, the state police superintendent, told NBC News.

The marshals — Derrick Stafford, 32, and Norris Greenhouse Jr., 23 — were charged Friday with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Stafford is a lieutenant with the Marksville police; Greenhouse is a full-time marshal in the nearby city of Alexandria. Both are being held without bail.

A source close to Few told NBC News that before the encounter with authorities, Few had an argument outside a local pool hall, TJ's Lounge, with his girlfriend. After leaving, Few picked up his son from a babysitter's house.

Shortly after, the chase began, although it remains unclear why the marshals, who are tasked with serving warrants, pursued Few. State police said that there are no warrants for his arrest.

Initial reports said Few backed into a marshal's vehicle, although only minor damage on that car is visible. No weapons were found in Few's SUV, and no shots were reported before the marshals opened fire.

Edmonson has described body camera footage that captured the encounter as "one of the most disturbing things I've witnessed."

Earlier this year, Stafford and Greenhouse — along with several other Marksville officers — were accused in a civil lawsuit filed in federal district court of using excessive force during a Libertarian event July 4, 2014, in downtown Marksville.

Ian Fridge, who filed the lawsuit, said that after he arrived at the event with a firearm, which he believed he was allowed to publicly display, the officers Tasered him and charged him with resisting arrest, battery on an officer and other crimes — despite his being "completely compliant," the lawsuit says.

In an affidavit included in the lawsuit, Stafford says that Fridge was not allowed to carry a firearm in areas where alcohol was sold and that officers "were in fear" that he would "draw" his gun.

At one point, according to the affidavit, Stafford asked Fridge "why did he put the small children and public at risk the way he did, and the subject just laughed."

Questions Swirl Around Fatal Shooting of Louisiana Boy

"We've got to find out what caused those officers to effect that pursuit ... and what caused them to fire their weapons," police said.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Nov 9 at 2015 8:34 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 08:34:24 -0500

I have not been following but I have been seen a lot on the story. Either way it's sad that a 9 year old boy died no matter what the reason.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Nov 9 at 2015 9:35 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 09:35:03 -0500

This is a terrible story MSgt Curtis Ellis, that has taken one life and ended multiple lives the way they knew it. While I do not know the specifics in its entirety, I know these Police Officers were not intending to kill this child. It is a terrible situation for the family (all three families involved) as well as the entire community.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2015 9:44 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 09:44:56 -0500

Its tragic. Not really sure what happened but they were not US Marshals they were local Marshals from the area. If they had been US Marshals he probably would have been a wanted felon

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Nov 9 at 2015 12:05 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 12:05:50 -0500

Five bullet holes into the body of a 6-yr old --shot by the police?! I honestly could care less about the investigation. Sick to my stomach...

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 10 at 2015 2:21 AM

PO1 John Miller — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 02:21:36 -0500

As not only a parent but a parent of an autistic child myself... had this been my child, I can only speculate what I would have done, once I healed!

No need for an investigation. There were NO warrants and a 6 year old child is DEAD.

Response by SSG Jeff Binkiewicz made Nov 10 at 2015 12:38 PM

SSG Jeff Binkiewicz — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 12:38:41 -0500

A terrible tragedy. Where is Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, or Eric Holder?

Response by SPC Jared Bever made Nov 11 at 2015 2:26 PM

SPC Jared Bever — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 14:26:13 -0500

Those who are responsible should be punished for what they did wrong. I do not blame all police for murder or that every accidental shooting is there fault. Most police officers never want to have the need of drawing their weapons. Most also want to only make the pulbic safe and secure from criminals.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Jun 20 at 2019 2:51 PM

SFC William Farrell — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 14:51:17 -0400

MSgt Curtis Ellis one Officer was convicted and is doing 40 years, the other I did not look up. Officers aunt said his verdict was racially motivated. If it had been a black kid or white officers, it would have been found to be justified!