13-year-old dies following Buncombe Road shooting; 2 other juveniles injured

SHREVEPORT, La. -- One of three juveniles shot Monday night near a Shreveport apartment complex has died. 

The Caddo Parish Coroner's Office has identified the victim as Sha'michal Russell, 13. He was pronounced dead just after 7 p.m. at Ochsner LSU Health hospital. 

The shooting happened at the Olde Salem Village Apartments on Buncombe Road. Shreveport police received a report of multiple people shot near the basketball court at the complex. 

Cpl. Chris Bordelon said an unknown person fired the gunshots that struck the victim and two other juveniles -- a 2-year-old and 17-year-old. The youngest child's injuries were described as non-life-threatening, while the condition of the older teen was not known Monday night. No update has been provided Tuesday. 

Russell attended Linwood Charter School. District officials are working with the school to provide grief counselors at the school. 

This is the same school where five of the eight children killed in a mass shooting in April attended. 

Shreveport City Council members are asking anyone with information about the latest shooting to come forward. 

“Our community is in agony. We are hurting, we are grieving, and we are searching for answers,” Council Chairwoman Tabatha Taylor said. “I have been with some of the families affected by the violence, and this is gut wrenching. Our prayers are with every victim and every family, but we also need the community’s help. If you know something about these shootings, please come forward.”

Council Vice Chairwoman Ursula Bowman expressed heartbreak over the violence in her district and the loss of a young life.

“Kids can’t be kids anymore,” Council Vice Chairwoman Ursula Bowman said. “These babies were playing basketball. Now, a family is grieving the loss of a child. It is awful, and it is so sad. Children should be able to play, spend time with their friends and simply be children without the fear of gunfire. Our children deserve better.”

Russell's death is the 38th homicide in the city. The coroner's office notes that the numbers have been updated with the recent classification of two earlier homicides that were not classified as such until the conclusion of the autopsies and investigations.

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Call Shreveport Police Department at 318-673-7300 or provide information or anonymously through Shreveport-Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373.