Family identifies man allegedly shot and killed by Terrebonne sheriff’s deputy

HOUMA, LA (WVUE) - Monday morning (Nov. 9), dozens of people met in Houma for a vigil and short walk to the courthouse downtown in response to the fatal shooting of a man allegedly by a Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s deputy.

One of the organizers, Tommie Jenkins, said he wanted to rally the community together in support of justice and transparency throughout the investigation.

“The people want answers, and I think it’s owed to them,” he said.

Jenkins and family members identify the man allegedly shot by the deputy as 43-year-old Lionel Thomas.

Louisiana State Police said that on Nov. 5, law enforcement agents were trying to do a traffic stop on a BMW SUV as a part of a multi-agency narcotics investigation.

State Police said instead of stopping for law enforcement, the driver sped off down Highway 24 through Houma and eventually veered off the road and crashed into Bayou Terrebonne near St. Charles Street.

After the crash, State Police said a Terrebonne Parish sheriff’s deputy allegedly shot and killed the driver.

Louisiana State Police said it is investigating the shooting, including why it happened, what led up to the shooting and how many rounds were fired.

Thomas’ family has started a GoFundMe page to help pay for an independent autopsy.

Meanwhile, his friends and loved ones mourn.

“He was a guy in the community that was involved in the community. He was loved in the community,” Jenkins said.

The Terrebonne Parish Sherriff’s Office said it is cooperating with State Police’s investigation, and Jenkins hopes to get answers about what happened soon.

“For any friend or family member, it’s going to be frustrating, especially when you have questions and you’re not getting any answers,” he said.

While community leaders wait for the report from Louisiana State Police, Dillard University criminologist Ashraf Esmail said it could take some time for investigators to get all the facts.

Esmail says State Police will be combing through physical evidence, witness testimony, body camera and police policies.

“A case like this, it really takes time to address several questions here,” he said. “Was there a threat or not? Were they just firing because he was in the car?”

With community interest in the shooting growing, Esmail said investigators will take as much time as necessary to get the facts right.

“With a lot of the issues right now with policing and the use of force, people are very careful with their investigations right now,” he said.

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