Shreveport Teen Tried as Adult in Drive-By Shooting

Caddo Parish District Attorney James E. Stewart, Sr. announces that 17-year-old SurDerrick Vailes will be charged and prosecuted by his office as an adult for his role in a November drive-by shooting in west Shreveport.

At hearing held Monday, December 6, 2023, Caddo Parish Juvenile Judge Natalie Howell determined there was probable cause against Vailes for two counts of attempted second-degree murder, illegal use of a firearm from a motor vehicle and illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile.

Vailes will now stand trial as an adult in connection with two shootings that occurred November 16 in the 1000 block of Huntington Lane. DA Stewart decided to remove his matter from juvenile court and present it in adult court based on Louisiana Children’s Code Article 305, which provides for the divestiture of juvenile court jurisdiction upon review by the District Attorney for offenders aged 15 years or older for a number of criminal acts, including attempted second-degree murder.

Shreveport Police arrested Vailes for illegal use of a weapon and illegal use of a weapon from a motor vehicle after investigation determined that, armed with a Draco semi-automatic rifle, he fired multiple shots at two males standing in the yard of a residence, and at the residence itself.  Evidence recovered at the scene and from Vailes led investigators to identify Vailes as the shooter.   After review, District Attorney Stewart upgraded the charges to include the transferrable attempted second-degree murders.

If convicted of attempted second-degree murder, Vailes faces 10 to 50 years in prison at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence.