#USA #Shreveport #Shamieh Law #Evelyn Alexander

Tragic Incident Leads to Wrongful Death Lawsuit

On July 16, 2026, Shamieh Law took legal action by filing a federal civil rights and wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of Dawn and Nyota Lair, the daughters of Evelyn Alexander, a 75-year-old woman tragically struck and killed by a Shreveport Police Department patrol vehicle. The incident occurred on February 3, 2026, when the patrol unit, without its emergency lights on, collided with Alexander while responding to a call about an armed individual.

In their complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana (Case No. 526-cv-02035), the plaintiffs named the City of Shreveport and an unnamed officer as defendants. The lawsuit alleges that Alexander was attempting to cross Greenwood Road when the patrol vehicle struck her, leading to life-threatening injuries that ultimately resulted in her death, even with emergency medical assistance.

The police department has publicly acknowledged that the patrol unit involved in this tragic collision was operating without any activated emergency lights at the time of the incident. In light of these facts, the complaint asserts that Officer John Doe failed to maintain a proper lookout, operate the patrol vehicle safely, and activate required emergency warning equipment as mandated by law.

Furthermore, it contends that systemic issues within the Shreveport Police Department regarding training, supervision, and overall policies contributed significantly to Alexander's death.

Ramez Shamieh, the founder of Shamieh Law, emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, _"Evelyn Alexander was struck and killed on a public street at 7 PM by a police cruiser that wasn't running its lights, and the Shreveport Police Department has already confirmed that publicly. That acknowledgment is the beginning of accountability, not the end of it. Her daughters have been waiting for answers since February, and this lawsuit is how we get them."_

The lawsuit not only seeks justice for the victim but also demands the preservation of all pertinent evidence related to the case. This includes body camera footage, dashcam recordings, dispatch audio, CAD and GPS records, as well as crash reconstruction materials. As of now, the specific identity of the officer has yet to be confirmed by the Shreveport authorities; however, the plaintiffs' legal team has pursued public records requests for vital identifying information.

The lawsuit highlights various claims, such as violations of 42 U.S.C. § 1983, municipal liability, negligence, wrongful death, and survival actions. The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages for emotional distress and wrongful death, attorney's fees where applicable, and the costs associated with the court process. They have also called for a jury trial to seek justice for their mother’s tragic fate.

About Shamieh Law

Shamieh Law is a civil rights and personal injury law firm dedicated to advocating for individuals and families in Texas and Louisiana. With a presence in cities like Dallas, Austin, Lake Charles, and Arkansas, the firm is committed to handling cases that matter and holding institutions, law enforcement, and corporations accountable when they inflict harm. Lead counsel Max E. Guthrie and founder Ramez Shamieh are prepared to engage with the media for further discussions regarding this significant case.