Heroic 13-Year-Old Killed Shielding Sister During Shreveport Shooting

A 13-year-old boy died after shielding his younger sister from gunfire that erupted at an apartment complex in Shreveport, Louisiana, police reported. Sha’Michael Russell was at the Olde Salem Village Apartments near the basketball court when shots were fired last week.

According to authorities, Sha’Michael jumped on top of his 3-year-old sister to protect her from the bullets. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His sister was unharmed.

"He was shielding his 3-year-old sister at the park to keep her from being hit by the bullets," said Jessica Haley, a chaplain with the Shreveport Police Department and Sha’Michael’s aunt. "He is a hero, a loving heart. He is a hero. He shielded his own sister."

Two other individuals, a 2-year-old and a 17-year-old, were also injured in the shooting. As of a week after the incident, no arrests had been made.

Haley has stated she is drawing strength from her faith to cope with the tragedy. "I’m staying strong through the help of the Lord. The same encouragement I have to give them to tell them to pray, to keep their faith, is the same thing I have to preach to myself," she said.

In recognition of his courage, Sha’Michael will posthumously receive the Youth Heroism Award from the national Youth Peace & Justice Foundation. Daniel Chapin, the foundation’s founder and president, praised Sha’Michael’s bravery. "Sha’Michael’s family has told us about a boy who loved his little sister and tried to protect her," Chapin said in a statement. "He was only 13 years old. He should still be here growing up with his family. We want to recognize the courage his family described and make sure people remember Sha’Michael for the life he lived and the person he was."

The foundation has launched a fundraiser to assist Sha’Michael’s family with funeral and memorial expenses. Additional funds are intended to support the two other victims and their families. The organization is also offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case.

Sha’Michael’s death marks the 38th homicide in Shreveport in 2026. "It’s another child: another child, Shreveport. Blood is on the ground. And it’s my mission, even before it hit home, that we start to pray," Haley added.