Derrick Morris to serve 40 years in prison

A masked gunman who shot and grievously wounded a friend last year must serve 40 years in prison, a Caddo district judge has ruled.

Derrick Deone Morris of Bossier City, 44, found guilty of attempted manslaughter September 23, 2025, was sentenced Wednesday, November 12, 2025, by District Judge Chris Victory as a second felony habitual offender. The 40-year term, the maximum allowed by law, must be served at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.

Victim Tauris Willis was shot April 19, 2024 in the north Shreveport Cherokee Park neighborhood. He was sitting in his car when he was approached by a masked man. The individual removed the mask covering his face and told Willis "I told you I was going to get you," and then shot him three times, once in each leg, severing the femoral artery in one of them, and once in his head, resulting in a grazing wound.  Willis was able to identify his assailant as his lifelong friend, Derrick Morris.

Morris was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Courtney N. Ray and Sean R. Fore. He was defended by Rickey Swift.

The case was docket No. 405929.