Shreveport Woman Arrested After Slapping SPD Officer

On July 7, at approximately 4:20 a.m., Shreveport police officers conducted a traffic stop at the corner of Spring Street and Travis Street. The stop was initiated in response to a vehicle driving the wrong way on Spring Street, a one-way street.

During the traffic stop, a female later identified as Rashya Mitchell, 22 years of age, approached the vehicle involved in the stop. Mitchell was not an occupant of the vehicle and was not related to the investigation. She placed items inside the vehicle, refused officers' commands to vacate the area, and shouted expletives at the officers.

Moments later, Mitchell approached the officers again. When officers attempted to push her away, she slapped one of the officers. The officer then attempted to deploy a Taser, at which point Mitchell grabbed the officer's Taser.

Mitchell was eventually taken into custody and was treated on scene by the Shreveport Fire Department for minor injuries. She has since been charged with interfering with a law enforcement investigation, battery of a police officer, attempted disarming of a police officer, and resisting an officer with force or violence.

These events were easily avoidable, and the goal of the Shreveport Police Department is always to de-escalate situations like this. However, when officers are hindered from conducting their investigation due to interference, they are compelled to take necessary action.

Suspects are innocent until proven guilty.