Child accidentally killed by ward mashall

By GARLAND FORMAN
Co-Editor
A 6-year old child was shot and killed by Ward 2 Marshals Tuesday evening in Marksville.
The child was shot when the man, believed to be his father, attempted to escape by backing his vehicle into the ward marshal unit. Officers reportedly got out of their vehicle and shot into the SUV, striking the child multiple times and hitting the man twice.
The names of the officers have not been released.
Avoyelles Parish Corner Dr. L.J. Mayeux said the child was pronounced dead at the scene. He identified the child as Jeremy David Mardis. Mardis was pronounced dead at the scene. Mayeux said Mardis was sitting in the right front passenger seat at the time of the shooting. The child was a 1st grader at Lafargue Elementary. Mayeux had no other information about the shooting.
Avoyelles Publishing has learn the father’s name is Chris Few, no age or address is available at this time. Few was shot once in the leg and once in the torso. He was taken by helicopter to an Alexandria hospital for surgery where he was listed in critical condition, State Police said.
Marksville Police Chief Elster Smith, who went to the scene of the shooting, said the officers involved were with the Ward 2 Marshal's Office and were not city police officers. However, he said the officers are employed at MPD
Smith said he will meet with the city attorney to determine what action, if any, will be taken against the officers.
The shooting was reported to 911 at 9:38 p.m. at the corner of Martin Luther King Drive and Taensas Street in Marksville. The man was allegedly trying to evade police.
Officers had cornered the suspect when he put the car in reverse and struck the police unit.
The officers reportedly then exited the vehicle and fired their pistols through the driver's side window, striking the man and boy.
An autopsy on the child will be conducted, Mayeux said.
The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations/ Alexandria Field Office are handling the investigation, Smith said.
Avoyelles Superintendent Blaine Dauzat expressed his grief over the death of the student and sent grief counselors to Lafargue Elementary to assist students and school employees to cope with the tragedy.
Avoyelles Publishing will continue to give details as they become available. A complete story will be in the Avoyelles Sunday Journal.