White Cop Shoots, Black Man Is Killed -- Result? No Charges Against The Cops

By Louisiana Illuminator, Louisiana Illuminator

- April 10, 2023

11:26
News Story

• Criminal Justice

Rapides DA clears police officers in two shootings: report

One involved white deputy who killed Black driver after traffic stop

By: Louisiana Illuminator - April 10, 2023 11:26 am

A screen capture of police dashboard camera video shows Rapides Sheriff’s Deputy Rodney Anderson struggling with motorist Derrick Kittling after a Nov. 8, 2022, traffic stop in the Lower Third neighborhood of Alexandria. (Courtesy of Louisiana State Police)

Rapides Parish District Attorney Phillip Terrell will not bring charges against two police officers who were involved in separate shootings in November, according to our news partners at KALB-TV. One of the shootings resulted in the death of a motorist who was pulled over for having dark window tint.

Terrell’s office issued nearly identical letters Thursday regarding Rapides Sheriff’s Deputy Rodney Anderson and Alexandria Police Officer Christopher Hayward, saying each “legally exercised [their] right to self-defense and self-preservation.”

Anderson, who is white, fatally shot Derrick Kittling, who is Black, after a traffic stop escalated into a scuffle. The Rapides Sheriff’s Office said Kittling had gained control of Anderson’s stun gun, leading Anderson to fire his service weapon at Kittling.

The incident was captured on Anderson’s body-worn and dashboard cameras, as well as on the phone of a bystander.

Hayward responded to a citizen’s complaint regarding Jason Shackleford, who police said was reported running into traffic. Hayward and Shackleford, who are both Black, engaged in a struggle, during which Shackleford gained control of Hayward’s baton and began to choke the officer with it, according to Louisiana State Police. Hayward then shot Shackleford, resulting in a non-life threatening wound.

State Police investigated both shootings and turned its findings over to the district attorney.

KALB-TV heard from attorneys for the Kittling family and Shackleford. Read more here, and see the letters from the DA’s office.

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