After being hospitalized for weeks following a gunfight with a suspect in Livingston Parish three weeks ago, Cpl. Shawn Kelly passed away on Friday.
Since May 11, when Kelly was shot while responding to a disturbance at a shopping complex on Range Avenue in Denham Springs, he has been receiving medical care at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge.
30-year-old Justin Roberts started shooting at the cops as they entered the parking lot, hitting Kelly several times. Officers returned and shot at Roberts, but he managed to flee amidst the commotion.
Roberts was shot dead as he approached the deputy with a gun after being pursued by a Livingston Parish sheriff’s deputy after he fled the shooting site.
The neighborhood organized a number of blood drives and fund-raisers in Kelly’s honor in the weeks that followed.
Police announced plans for a parade to start at 6:30 that evening following his death on Friday. Kelly will go from Essen Lane to I-12, then to Range Avenue, and lastly to Seale Funeral Home in Denham Springs with the assistance of the escort.
The following remarks were made public by the Denham Springs Police Department on Friday:
Chief Walker: On May 11th, 2023 evil and tragedy struck our community and because of it, we will forever be changed. Cpl. Shawn Kelly was a great public servant, a great father, grandfather, husband, and just a great human being. He was one of the finest men I’ve ever known. The Denham Springs & Livingston Parish communities have truly lost one of its finest. On behalf of Cpl. Kelly’s family and his DSPD family, we thank you for your continued love, support and prayers during this difficult and tragic time.
Sgt. Sterling: Please respect the privacy of the Kelly family and the entire DSPD. We won’t be answering any further questions right now.
We will provide an update on the funeral arrangements and procession when those plans have been finalized.
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