August 18, 2010
Three brothers killed over XBox 360
In a bloody scene comparable to a violent TV show, three brothers were shot to death by an assault-weapon wielding man who believed they had stolen his video gaming system, authorities said Tuesday.
Neighbors heard the gunfire late Monday and minutes later deputies found a bullet-riddled vehicle and three brothers inside, dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
Jerimiah Adams, 20, and his siblings Jarquis, 18, and Jean, 13, were ambushed when the vehicle stopped in the driveway of a residence in the 9500 block of Keatchie-Marshall Road about 10 p.m., Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator said.
Witnesses said the gunman was waiting in the woods with an assault weapon and a 30-round clip when the Chevy Malibu drove into the yard. He also had a .45 caliber handgun.
"He begins shooting at the Malibu," Prator said at a news conference on Tuesday. "All were hit and the windows and glass was blown out the vehicle. It was like something you would see on a very violent television show."
The gunman fled the scene on foot.
Marcus Donté Reed, 33, of the 3000 block of Hoyte Drive, faces three counts of first-degree murder.
Reed's girlfriend's home was burglarized Monday, and authorities believe the suspect opened fire because he thought the brothers — or at least one of them — had taken his XBox 360 video game system from the residence.
The burglary wasn't reported to authorities and investigators have no evidence to support the reported motive. They describe the residence as a neighborhood hangout and say the Adams' were among a group of people at the house earlier.
"We don't have any indication they were actually in the house that night," Prator said. "I'm not sure the extent of the relationship they had. We are still working on that."
Authorities are trying to determine how Reed knew where the brothers would be Monday evening. The suspect's girlfriend left home just prior to the shooting. Prator said he doesn't believe she is involved.
Chris Owens, a relative of the girlfriend, lives in the Keithville area and also was at the woman's house on Monday. He stood outside the crime scene tape Tuesday morning seeking answers from investigators.
"Yesterday they were saying somebody broke into the house and stole some things," Owens said. "I don't remember anybody arguing or anything like that. So I don't know what could have happened."
The brothers are from Keithville and the youngest was a student at Youree Drive Middle School and the Caddo Parish school system's Academic Recovery and Career Discoveries Center. Roy Murray, supervisor of security for Caddo schools, said grief counselors will be at both locations today to help the students and staff cope.
Jerimiah Adams graduated from Huntington High School in 2008.
The Rev. David Hudson, pastor of Church of the Living God in the Spring Ridge area, last saw Jerimiah and Jean Adams on Sunday morning. Both were in church. And that's where they were most every Sunday and for special occasions.
"They were very active in the youth group, active in the choir, active in skits, all of the programs we had. They were very active in all of that," Hudson said.
Hudson said he had known the Adams brothers for five years. During that time, he became well aware of their love of the outdoors — and horses.
"The 18-year-old, Jarquis, would help me saddle up the mule when we would have events for the children. He's a horse lover. His younger brother wanted to take after him. That young man was a big help to me."
Overall, Hudson describes the Jerimiah, Jarquis and Jean as "pretty good children. They were nice young men to work with. Very respectable young men."
Hudson hopes by today to have a fund set up at an area bank where donations can be made to help the Adams' family with funeral expenses.
This isn't Reed's first brush with law enforcement. In December 2007, he was convicted of a felony charge of illegal use of a weapon/dangerous instrument. Reed was involved in a shootout with another vehicle at the corner of Hollywood at Hearne avenues in which a business was struck, according to police reports. At the time, Reed had an assault rifle with one round in the chamber and 35 in the magazine.
He faces the death penalty if convicted.
"What kind of fool is this that would sit in the woods with a gun?," Prator asked. "There are some things all of the patrol cars in the world can't prevent.
"The only thing that could have prevented this from happening is (him) not being born."
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20100818/NEWS03/8180351/1060/NEWS01
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