The following vignettes describe the circumstances for killings not ruled self-defense by private individuals with permits to carry concealed handguns. The incidents below all occurred in Louisiana. The descriptions include the current, known status of any charges filed against the concealed carry killer as reported by news sources as well as noting instances where the perpetrator committed suicide.
The Violence Policy Center welcomes any new information regarding the status of any case (with verifiable source(s)). Use this link to contact the VPC: http://www.vpc.org/contact.htm.
Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Kevin Stokes PENDING
Date: July 27, 2020
People Killed: 1
Circumstances: On July 27, 2020, concealed handgun permit holder Kevin Stokes, 54, allegedly shot and killed Kevin Thomas, 34, following a dispute over a car title. Stokes had asked to meet with his girlfriend’s daughter to talk with her about several traffic tickets he had received connected to a car that he had sold to her. But the woman’s boyfriend, Kevin Thomas, arrived to meet him instead. Stokes claims that Thomas got out of his car holding a pistol and that Stokes then grabbed his own gun before shooting Thomas, who died at the scene. Stokes claims he acted in self defense, but investigators arrested Stokes, charging him with second degree murder after two witnesses alleged that he was the aggressor. Stokes claimed his actions were justifiable under Louisiana’s “stand your ground” law. If convicted of murder, Stokes could be sentenced to life in prison.
Source: “Man accused of fatal North Claiborne Avenue shooting claims he shot in self-defense,” nola.com, July 30, 2020.
Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Unidentified PENDING
Date: April 14, 2020
People Killed: 1
Circumstances: On April 14, 2020 an unidentified Louisiana concealed handgun permit holder was charged with negligent homicide. In their annual report, the Louisiana State Police do not release the offender’s name, nor the type of weapon used in the homicide.
Source: “Concealed Handgun Permit Unit Annual Legislative Report,” Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Office of State Police, 2020.
Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Name Not Provided PENDING
Date: December 31, 2017
People Killed: 1
Circumstances: According to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, on December 31, 2017 an unnamed concealed handgun permit holder allegedly stabbed a man to death after an argument. According to witnesses, the permit holder and victim were seen arguing before entering a home and could be heard continuing to argue once inside. The permit holder told police that the victim “walked up” on her and she stabbed him. The permit holder was charged with second degree murder.
Source: Concealed Handgun Permit Unit Annual Legislative Report, Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Office of State Police, 2017.
Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Jerry Ronald Seals PENDING
Date: February 14, 2015
People Killed: 1
Circumstances: On February 14, 2015, concealed handgun permit holder Jerry Ronald Seals, 52, allegedly shot and killed James Allen Orgeron, 44, in the parking lot of a McDonald’s restaurant in Lafayette. According to police, Seals drove up to Orgeron as he was sitting in his vehicle in the parking lot, began arguing with him, then allegedly pulled out a handgun and opened fire. Orgeron died at the scene. Seals was arrested and charged with second degree murder.
Source: “Concealed Handgun Permit Unit Annual Legislative Report, 2015,” Louisiana Department of Public Safety Office of State Police; “UPDATE – Lafayette man arrested in shooting at Lafayette McDonald’s,” kpel965.com, February 14, 2015.
Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Robert E. Jenks PENDING
Date: June 28, 2014
People Killed: 1
Circumstances: On June 28, 2014, concealed handgun permit holder Robert E. Jenks, 45, allegedly shot and killed Harold Bart Oliphant, Sr., 55, after an altercation at a bar in Ponchatoula. According to police, the two men were arguing when Jenks produced a handgun and allegedly shot Oliphant in the abdomen. Oliphant died at a nearby medical facility. Jenks was arrested and charged with second degree murder and possession of a firearm in an alcoholic beverage outlet.
Source: “Concealed Handgun Permit Unit Annual Legislative Report, 2014,” Louisiana Department of Public Safety, Office of State Police; “Jenks arrested for shooting death,” tangilena.com, June 30, 2014.
Concealed Handgun Permit Holder: Durrelle Bowens CONVICTED
Date: March 24, 2011
People Killed: 1
Circumstances: On March 24, 2011, concealed handgun permit holder Durrelle Bowens, 23, shot and killed Toriano “Tito” Livas outside Eddie St. Cyr’s Auto Shop. As Livas was
leaving the auto shop, Bowens arrived with his girlfriend and other family members including his one-year-old nephew. A verbal dispute ensued between Livas and Bowens which escalated into a physical altercation. A gun battle then took place between Bowens and Livas. When both men ran out of ammunition, Livas attempted to flee, but Bowens re-loaded his gun and shot Livas in the back of his leg. Livas again tried to flee, but Bowens shot him again. Finally, Livas was lying on the ground pleading for his life when Bowens shot him several more times in the head and torso. Bowens fled the scene and was later apprehended in Texas. Livas was shot eight times, including once in the arm, twice in the torso, once in the back of the knee, once in the hip, and three times in the head. In total, Bowens fired 17 rounds of ammunition. As one witness described the shooting, “It felt like the gunshots went on forever.” On January 25, 2012, Bowen was found guilty of
manslaughter. On February 1, 2012, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison. On December 10, 2014 an appeals court affirmed the verdict and sentence in the case.
Source: State of Louisiana versus Durrelle D. Bowens, Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fourth Circuit, December 10, 2014; “Gunman convicted of manslaughter in 2011 Central City slaying near New Orleans College Prep,” uptownmessenger.com, January 27, 2012.