Shreveport Murder Over a Phone Charger Leads to Life Sentence

A Shreveport man who killed a neighbor in a dispute over a phone charger must serve he rest of his life in prison, a Caddo District judge ordered Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

District Judge Chris Victory, who presided over the trial of Joshua Parks that ended August 21 with his conviction for the slaying of Edward Lattin, 34, imposed the state-mandated life sentence. The shooting occurred December 18, 2020.

Victim Lattin was at his residence in the 2900 block of DeSoto Street with his girlfriend, his girlfriend’s best friend and the girlfriend’s mother when he went next door to Parks' residence to get a phone charger. There, Lattin argued with Parks' girlfriend over the charger. Lattin returned home and told his girlfriend about the argument, then went outside where the argument between Lattin and the female neighbor continued. Parks, 30, came outside, stood behind his girlfriend and started to argue with Lattin.

Lattin and Parks were about to escalate the argument to a physical altercation when Parks pulled out a .380 caliber handgun and shot at Lattin as he turned to run away. After Parks fired the weapon, Lattin fell face-forward to the ground. Parks then walked over to Lattin and shot him several more times, including the back of the head. Lattin was shot a total of eight times. Parks then fled with the handgun. When he surrendered at Caddo Correctional Center later, his bloody shoes held Lattin's DNA.

Parks' sentence must be served at hard labor without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

Parks was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kodie K. Smith and Bill Edwards. He was defended by Sean Landry.

The case was docket No. 380303.