Shreveport Police Seize More Illegal Firearms with Multiple Arrests

The Shreveport Police Department is ramping up its proactive enforcement efforts, executing a series of arrests aimed at removing firearms from individuals legally barred from carrying them. Local authorities emphasize that targeting prohibited possessors remains a cornerstone of their strategy to curb violent crime and enhance community safety.

Back-to-Back Arrests Net Two Convicted Felons in One Night

During a Shreveport Police crackdown on May 6 officers took two armed men with extensive criminal histories into custody within a one-hour window.

8:00 p.m. Arrest:  Joseph Douglas was arrested under similar circumstances. Investigators determined Douglas was legally prohibited from carrying a weapon due to past convictions, which include second-degree rape and illegal possession of stolen firearms.

9:00 p.m. Arrest: Officers apprehended Ryan Merritt after discovering him in possession of a firearm. A background check revealed Merritt has prior convictions for narcotics distribution and firearm-related offenses.

Both Merritt and Douglas have been officially charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

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Armed Burglary Suspect Apprehended with Altered Weapon

The proactive policing continued into the following week. On May 17, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Shreveport officers tracked down and arrested Brandon Styles on charges of Burglary of an Inhabited Dwelling.

According to police reports, Styles resisted officers during the arrest and was found to be armed. A closer inspection of the weapon revealed its serial number had been completely obliterated.

In addition to the burglary charge, Styles faces multiple charges including the altered firearm, outstanding warrants for theft and resisting an officer, and two pending firearm-related cases from a separate, prior incident.

Department Reaffirms Commitment to Removing Illegal Guns

Shreveport Police officials cite these three recent arrests as a clear warning to repeat offenders in the area.

Shreveport Police officials released a statement saying:  "These arrests are another example of the Shreveport Police Department’s continued commitment to holding repeat offenders accountable and removing illegal firearms from our streets."

Authorities urge anyone with information regarding illegal firearms or criminal activity to contact local law enforcement or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.