Sha'michal Russell: Shreveport Teen Killed Shielding Sister

Sha'michal Russell, a 13-year-old boy from Shreveport, Louisiana, was shot and killed on Monday, September 28, 2026, while he was on a basketball court at the Olde Salem Village Apartments with his 3-year-old sister. His family says he put himself between her and the gunfire. She was not hurt. Two other children, ages 2 and 17, were injured and survived.

Within five days, Shreveport police had charged two 19-year-old cousins in the case. What police have not explained in any report reviewed for this article is why shots were fired toward a court where children were playing.

Who Was Sha'michal Russell?

Sha'michal was 13 years old and a student at Linwood Charter School in Shreveport, according to KTBS. Relatives told KSLA he was a loving, playful boy who was quick to help neighbors, loved sports, made other people laugh and cared deeply for his little sister.

His mother is Sha'Martha Edwards. His aunt, Jessical Haley, serves as the chaplain of the Shreveport Police Department. "Last evening, I was touched by this gun violence myself. It hit my family," Haley told KSLA the day after the shooting.

A note on his name: early reports citing the Caddo Parish Coroner's Office, and the credit on the photo his family shared, spell it Sha'michal. Police statements have used Shamichael, and KSLA's funeral report uses Sha'Michael. This article follows the family photo credit.

What Happened at Olde Salem Village Apartments?

Police told KSLA the shooting happened at about 6:30 p.m. on Monday, September 28, at the Olde Salem Village Apartments, 6725 Buncombe Road in west Shreveport.

According to the police account reported by KSLA, the preliminary investigation indicated that someone fired multiple rounds toward the basketball court from a distance, striking three juveniles. Sha'michal was taken to a local hospital, where he died shortly after 7 p.m., the Caddo Parish Coroner's Office said. KTBS reported the hospital was Ochsner LSU Health. An autopsy was ordered.

The two other victims were a 2-year-old, whose injuries were described as not life-threatening, and a 17-year-old, who KSLA reported was in serious condition. Sha'michal's death was recorded as Shreveport's 38th homicide of 2026.

How Did His Family Describe His Final Moments?

The account of what Sha'michal did on the court comes from his family. Haley told KSLA that her nephew was trying to protect his younger sister when the gunfire began.

"He was shielding his 3-year-old sister at the park to keep her from being hit by the bullets," Haley said. "He is a hero, a loving heart. He is a hero. He shielded his own sister."

KSLA reported that his sister was not struck. Haley said the loss reaches beyond one household. "It's another child: another child, Shreveport," she said, adding that her mission is for the city to start to pray.

Arrest and Charges: Who Are Javieon and Alonzo Abbott?

The Shreveport Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit made the first arrest about a day after the shooting; KSLA first reported it on the night of Tuesday, September 29. Javieon Abbott, 19, was charged with second-degree murder. In a statement reported by WBRZ, police said Abbott allegedly fired multiple shots toward the basketball court from a distance, striking the three juveniles.

Police Chief Wayne Smith said detectives "worked nonstop through the night and throughout the day, following every lead and using every available resource until the person responsible was in custody," according to KTBS. The department said it was assisted by the Gator Task Force, with Louisiana State Police and the FBI.

On Thursday, October 1, Javieon Abbott was charged with two additional counts of attempted second-degree murder, KSLA reported.

On Friday, October 2, police announced a second arrest. Alonzo Abbott, 19, was charged with one count of principal to second-degree murder and two counts of principal to attempted second-degree murder. Police have confirmed that the two men are cousins, KSLA reported. KSLA reported that Alonzo Abbott is held at Caddo Correctional Center on a $4 million bond and Javieon Abbott on a $1 million bond.

These are allegations. Javieon Abbott and Alonzo Abbott have not been convicted of anything and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

A School and a City Already in Mourning

Sha'michal's death landed on a community that was already grieving. KTBS reported that Linwood Charter School, where he was a student, is the same school attended by five of the eight children killed in a mass shooting in Shreveport in April. The school made grief counselors available. None of the reports reviewed for this article link the two events; what they share is a school community that has had to absorb both.

City leaders spoke in similar terms. "Our community is in agony. We are hurting, we are grieving, and we are searching for answers," City Council Chairwoman Tabatha Taylor said, according to KTBS. Council Vice Chairwoman Ursula Bowman said: "Kids can't be kids anymore. These babies were playing basketball. Now, a family is grieving the loss of a child."

On Friday, October 2, dozens of people gathered on the same court for a prayer event organized by Haley. Sha'michal's mother attended. "I keep the light and joy, you know, through the sorrow," Edwards told KTBS.

How Is Sha'michal Being Honored?

The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as the Uvalde Foundation, announced that Sha'michal will posthumously receive its Youth Heroism Award, which recognizes young people who show exceptional courage and a willingness to help others in a crisis. KSLA reported that he will be the first teenager to receive the award posthumously.

"He was only 13 years old. He should still be here growing up with his family," founder and president Daniel Chapin said in a statement carried by KSLA. "We want to recognize the courage his family described and make sure people remember Sha'michal for the life he lived and the person he was."

The foundation also opened an emergency fundraiser for funeral and memorial costs, and said further funds may support the two surviving victims and their families.

What Happens Next

Police say the investigation is still open and that additional arrests are possible. No trial date or court schedule for either man appeared in the reports reviewed for this article.

A public viewing for Sha'michal is scheduled for Friday, October 9, from 1 to 6 p.m. at Shreveport Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center, 5307 Alex Lane. KTBS reported that a celebration of life will follow at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, at the Church of the Living God, 1634 Alma Street. The funeral home is accepting donations toward the family's funeral costs at 318-683-4067.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Shreveport Police Department at 318-673-7300 or Shreveport-Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373.

Timeline of the Sha'michal Russell Case

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has been charged in the Sha'michal Russell case?

Javieon Abbott, 19, is charged with second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. His cousin Alonzo Abbott, 19, is charged with one count of principal to second-degree murder and two counts of principal to attempted second-degree murder. Both are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Was Sha'michal's sister hurt?

No. KSLA reported that his 3-year-old sister was not struck. The two other children who were injured, a 2-year-old and a 17-year-old, have not been publicly named.

Has a motive been released?

None of the police statements or news reports reviewed for this article give a motive. Explanations circulating online are unconfirmed.

What does a "principal" charge mean in Louisiana?

Louisiana law defines principals as all persons concerned in the commission of a crime, whether or not they directly commit the act, including those who aid and abet or who counsel or procure another person to commit it. Police have not publicly described what role they allege Alonzo Abbott played.

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Sources

• KSLA: Police chaplain's nephew dies after shooting at Shreveport apartment complex
• KALB / KSLA: Coroner identifies 13-year-old in west Shreveport shooting
• KTBS: 13-year-old dies after Buncombe Road shooting, two other juveniles injured
• KTBS: Shreveport police announce first arrest
• WBRZ: Police statement on the arrest of Javieon Abbott
• KSLA: Additional attempted murder charges filed
• KSLA: Second arrest; police confirm the accused are cousins
• KTBS: Second arrest as community gathers for vigil
• KTBS: Community prayer gathering and service details
• KSLA: Youth Heroism Award announcement
• KOLD / Gray News: Summary of the case and charges
• KSLA: Funeral arrangements announced
• Louisiana State Legislature: Revised Statute 14:24, Principals