Shreveport Man Convicted of 2014 Shooting

A Caddo Parish jury has convicted a Shreveport man for manslaughter for a 2014 shooting that left 22-year-old Dejuan Kennedy dead.

Police had charged 30-year-old Kevin Ray Bowers with second degree murder for shooting Kennedy with a semi-automatic rifle in the 4100 block of Jacob Street. However, the jury made up of five men and seven women couldn't agree unanimously on a second degree murder conviction. They deliberated for two hours Friday before returning a manslaughter verdict.

Bowers faces up to 40 years in prison. According to a source close to KEEL, the judge has said Bowers is looking at a lengthy sentence, since he has previous convictions for second-degree battery in 2003, domestic abuse battery in 2008, attempted possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2005, and possessing marijuana with intent to distribute in 2011.

Bowers' next court date is May 25 for post-trial motions. According to the District Attorney's Office, the court has ordered a pre-sentence investigation into Bowers.