Caddo Sheriff's deputies are continuing their search this morning for a man who shot at a deputy Monday afternoon, said Sheriff Steve Prator.
Deputies maintained a perimeter in the area of the 8200 block of Jefferson Paige Road throughout the night and manned checkpoints after suspending their search at 1 a.m. Early this morning, they began searching again, using drones, six K-9 teams, and deputies on foot.
"We feel confident we are still on his trail," the Sheriff said. "Everyone needs to keep their eyes open, and residents in the area should be especially careful."
Prator said it's believed the suspect is Derek Swanson, 28, who is also wanted on a murder charge in Shreveport. Swanson is described as a white male, 5'7, 160 lbs., with brown hair. He has tattoos on his arms and back. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, no shirt, and no shoes.
A Caddo deputy was sent to Jefferson Paige near Clim Lane around 1 p.m. on Monday to follow up on a tip that Swanson was in the area. The deputy spotted a man believed to be Swanson walking on Jefferson Paige. When the deputy exited his patrol car and tried to speak to the suspect, the man produced a gun and fired at the deputy but did not hit him. The deputy returned fire. It is not known if the suspect was hit.
The man fled into the woods nearby. A short while later, a citizen contacted the Sheriff's Office to say that a strange man had entered his home without permission and tried to steal a rifle, but when he found it was not loaded, he threw it down and left. Just before dark, a citizen on Bradford Lane called authorities to say he was approached at home by a man who was armed with a stick. The man tried unsuccessfully to steal his truck, then ran away.
Deputies are being assisted in their search by the Louisiana State Police, David Wade Correctional Center, the U.S. Marshal's Task Force, and deputies assigned to the FBI Task Force and DEA Task Force. A helicopter from the Louisiana State Police is expected to search by air later this morning. Caddo Sheriff's divers are searching a private pond for evidence, and this morning, were successful in finding evidence linked to Swanson.
Caddo-Shreveport Crime Stoppers has offered a $2000 reward for information leading to the suspect's arrest. The number for Crime Stoppers is 673-7373.
Citizens in the area are urged to use caution and report any suspicious activity to the Caddo Sheriff's Office at 675-2170.
