The Associated Press
VIDALIA, La. (AP) - A grand jury has cleared a Concordia Parish sheriff’s deputy in the shooting death of a man in Ferriday.
Deputy David Hedrick said he shot Fredrick Lollis, 38, on Aug. 23 after stopping him and another man for questioning. Hedrick told investigators that Lollis brandished a bat and then pulled a gun on him.
The NAACP contended racial motivation was behind the shooting. But the grand jury, after hearing two days of testimony, declined to bring charges Tuesday. Hedrick is white. Lollis was black.
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.
The investigation was conducted by state police.
Concordia Parish NAACP president Justin Conner said Wednesday that the black community, and Lollis’ family were disappointed in the grand jury’s decision. He said there was only one black member of the grand jury.
The FBI is continuing its own investigation into the shooting.