Wilkinson to serve life for Brown murder

A Shreveport man who convicted last month for shooting to death a lifelong friend must serve his life in prison.

District Judge John D. Mosely Jr. sentenced Dewayne Wilkinson, 23, to the mandatory life term Monday, September 21, 2026. Wilkinson was found guilty of the October 2, 2023 slaying of Laroyce Daniel Brown August 20.

The night of the slaying, victim Brown and Wilkinson's two sisters arrived at Wilkinson's mother's home on Anna Street in Shreveport. Mr. Brown, described as Wilkinson's "god-cousin," greeted the mother and defendant Wilkinson and briefly spoke to the latter. Mr. Brown then excused himself to go outside to get his keys out of his car. When he returned to the house, Wilkinson had armed himself with a Blackout-style rifle, with which he shot Mr. Brown more than 20 times, and then fled. Wilkinson's mother and sisters called 911, identifying the shooter and the victim. Mr. Brown was deceased at the scene. 

When the mother and sisters returned to the Anna Street residence after giving police statements, they discovered that Wilkinson had returned to the house with the murder rifle. The mother called police, who returned to the scene and arrested Wilkinson and secured the rifle and other evidence, including bloodstained clothing that at trial was linked by DNA to the victim. A firearms expert confirmed that all 21 shell casings found on scene and multiple bullets scattered throughout the home, as well as bullets recovered from the victim during autopsy, were fired from the rifle.  

Assistant District Attorneys Kodie K. Smith and William Edwards prosecuted Wilkinson. He was defended by Casey Simpson and Caleb Traylor.

The case was docket No. 397956.

-30-