Shreveport Man Receives Life Sentence for 2021 Murder

Deangelo Deshun Whitaker, 23, convicted late last month in connection with a second-degree murder committed with two other men in May 2021, received a mandatory life prison term in Caddo District Court Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

District Judge Ramona Emanuel handed down the sentence, which must be served  without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

Whitaker was convicted February 29, 2024 of the May 2, 2021 slaying of Emanual Emon King, 19, who attended a party with his slayers at the Lake Villa Apartments in the 3700 block of Richmond Avenue. During the course of the evening, shots were fired. Partygoers fled upstairs for cover, while King took cover.  When the shooting stopped, the three gunmen entered the apartment, confronting King and, shooting him multiple times.

King died at the scene. Whitaker and the other gunmen fled but later were arrested.

Whitaker was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kodie K. Smith  and Bill Edwards. He was defended by Katherine Ferguson and Royal Alexander.

Whitaker's confederates Anderito Smith Jr. and Zykeyland Johnson both pleaded guilty to manslaughter several days before Whitaker's conviction. Smith was sentenced to 40 years at hard labor, while Johnson was sentenced to 20 years.

The case was docket No. 398588.