Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Van Kyzar released an opinion Wednesday clearing Natchitoches and Red River police officers and sheriff’s deputies from any criminal wrongdoing in connection with the shooting death of a 19-year-old Texas man. “My office conducted an extensive review of the investigative file and evidence gathered by the Louisiana State Police, and I have concluded that the actions of all of the officers and deputies involved in the shooting were justified under the circumstances,” said Kyzar.

On June 27, 2007, Natchitoches Parish Sheriffs deputies and Natchitoches City Police officers were involved in a high-speed chase of a vehicle driven by Joshua Kyle Black that began in Red River Parish. According to investigation reports, as Black was fleeing from the officers pursuing in their patrol units with sirens and lights activated, he attempted to hit several oncoming cars head-on but was unsuccessful due to the evasive action of the other motorists. His vehicle was brought to a stop after Sheriffs deputies placed spike strips across the Hwy. 6 Bypass that partially disabled the vehicle. Officers attempted to get Black to exit his vehicle, and he refused to do so. He was armed with a shotgun while seated in the driver’s seat and then attempted to run over an officer before ramming a police cruiser. At that point, several officers fired on the subject, with four bullets striking him in the right shoulder area. The car burst into flames and officers were unable to extinguish the blaze or to get Black from his vehicle. “According to the autopsy report, he died as a result of one of the gunshot wounds,” said Kyzar.

Kyzar concluded that the officers were justified in firing on the subject as he was in the process of attempting to kill officers at the time. Further, Black had committed several counts of attempted murder just prior to the shooting by attempting to ram other motorists with his vehicle.

“This is an extremely unfortunate incident but the officers involved acted properly and were completely justified in their actions under Louisiana law. The Louisiana State Police did an excellent job in the investigation of the events leading to the shooting and the shooting itself, and we consider the matter closed at this point,” said Kyzar.