Concordia Parish grand jury clears Deputy in shooting of Ron Lollis

• NAACP says Shooting of Black Man was Racially Motivated

An NAACP official says the black community of Ferriday is disappointed that a Concordia Parish grand jury cleared a white deputy who shot and killed a black man in Ferriday.  The deputy said he shot the man in self-defense. The NAACP has contended the August shooting was racially motivated.  The grand jury ruled Tuesday that no charges should be filed against Deputy David Hedrick.  Sheriff Randy Maxwell said Hedrick returned to work Wednesday.  "This incident was thoroughly investigated from top to bottom. The evidence was presented to the grand jury in its entirety," Maxwell said.  Local NAACP President Justin Conner said Wednesday that the black community, and Lollis' family were disappointed in the grand jury's decision. NAACP officials and church leaders have said the shooting was racially motivated. Conner said there was only one black person on the grand jury.  The FBI is continuing to investigate a civil rights violation complaint filed in connection with the shooting.  On Aug. 23, Officer Hedrick was investigating a prior complaint, and the victim identified Lollis and another man as suspects. Hedrick stopped the men on Doty Road in Ferriday for questioning. During questioning, Hedrick told investigators that Lollis had a bat and then pointed a gun at him. Four to five shots were fired, and Lollis was fatally wounded. Maxwell said a gun was found at the scene.  Conner said witnesses, including the man stopped with Lollis, told him that Lollis did not have a gun and begged not to be shot.  "It is strange that (with) an eyewitness there is not enough," Conner said. "Our witnesses are determined they saw what they saw." .[more] and [more]

• Pictured above: More than 500 people stood as the casket of Fredrick "Ron" Lollis was wheeled into Ferriday Junior High School's gym Sunday. [more]