91 Year Old Woman Robbed and Tied Up in Louisiana Home Break In
I was nauseous when I first read about the events in Shreveport. A 91-year-old woman who may have been someone’s mother or grandmother was discovered confined, battered, and bound inside a closet in her own house. Not only was she robbed. The location where she should have felt the safest was where she was hunted.
According to the police, it took place on Sommersworth Drive on July 2. When cops discovered her, the woman was just barely hanging on. She is currently battling for her life in the hospital at the moment.
Take a moment to process that: ninety-one. beaten and abandoned in a cupboard to perish.
This headline is not just another one. This is the true appearance of a house invasion. It also begs the question, “How safe are our most vulnerable loved ones really?” if it can happen to her in broad daylight.
Police Found Her Tied Up, Locked in a Closet And Barely Alive
I want you to picture yourself as a police officer on the scene of a peaceful residence on Sommersworth Drive. Until you enter, everything appears to be in its proper position. There she is. A 91-year-old woman was trapped in her own closet, tied up, and severely abused.
According to 710 KEEL News, it is the exact horror that Shreveport Police entered on July 2.She was more than just hurt. As you read this, she is still in critical condition after struggling for her life.
The vulnerability is just as devastating as the savagery. Your grandmother might have been this person. Your neighbor. Your loved one is living alone.
I’m not sure what will shake you if this doesn’t.
The Hunt for the Suspect: Citizens Helped Police Track Him Down
The good news? The police wasted no time. People didn’t like you either.
Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit conducted a thorough investigation after finding the crime scene. They located the culprit at Stone Vista Apartments with the assistance of the Narcotics Unit, federal partners, and vigilant citizens’ tips.
He didn’t fight back. He didn’t run. He was just apprehended.
This was a communal victory as much as a police victory. He was brought down by people like you.
Wayne Smith, the chief of police of Shreveport, put it best:
One of our most vulnerable citizens was the victim of a vicious and callous attack.
He is correct. And because you cared enough to speak up, one less violent man is now free.
Who Is Kendrell Thomas? And Why Was He Free to Begin With?
Kendrell Thomas, 24, is the individual who was taken into custody by the police. He was young enough to start over, but he opted for violence instead. According to KSLA, he is currently facing four serious charges:
- Attempted first-degree murder
- Aggravated kidnapping
- Second-degree battery
- Home invasion
You read correctly: an attempt at murder. The allegations reveal a great deal about his alleged intent.
The thing that chills me is that there is very little information available to the public on whether this was a targeted or random incident.
Did he know her? Was he keeping an eye on her home?
That quiet is awful, and if it were random, it would leave all the old people in our vicinity exposed.
Furthermore, a two-year-old in Detroit was struck by a stray gunshot a few days ago while inside their house, demonstrating once more that homes aren’t always the secure haven we think they are.
What Makes a Home Invasion So Much Worse Than a Burglary?
You know about break-ins, don’t you? However, this was not a small-time electronics thief. This was a house invasion, which is very different from what is allowed by law and morality.
Let me explain it to you.
A home invasion in Louisiana is when someone enters an occupied residence without authorization with the intention of using force or violence. It’s a crime that typically entails threatening or hurting the occupants.
Therefore, it wasn’t only burglary when Kendrell Thomas broke into that woman’s house, bound her, and almost killed her.
That was domestic terrorism.
In Louisiana, house invasion carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, particularly if there are aggravating circumstances such as attempted murder. And truthfully? That still doesn’t seem sufficient.
Even other types of house-targeted violence are becoming unsettlingly commonplace, as evidenced by the two arrests made in Washtenaw County, Michigan, after a drive-by home shooting.
How Safe Is Your Elderly Loved One? Here s What You Can Do Right Now
If you’re like me, the first thing that comes to mind when you read this is, “What a tragedy.”The question was: What if my mother experienced this?
Let’s face it, the majority of older people do not defend themselves. At home, they don’t anticipate danger. You cannot afford to ignore this because of this.
You can take the following precautions tonight to keep your parents, grandparents, or even yourself safe:
-
Install peephole or door cameras
(even budget smart cams like Blink or Wyze help) -
Use strong deadbolt locks and security bars
, especially for backdoors -
Teach seniors to never open doors to strangers even if they look official
-
Add a medical emergency alert system
with panic buttons or wearable SOS devices -
Set up regular check-ins
with neighbors or family (a quick morning Are you okay? call works wonders)
More than 30% of senior victims of crime were known to their attacker, according to the survey. Therefore, being prepared is more important than being paranoid.
You did well if this story frightened you. Now, make something safer out of that fear.
An instance of a guy facing seven charges after a home invasion in Enfield was similar in that it involved several counts following a violent entry.
What Happens Now: Justice for the Victim, or Just Another Trial?
I know how this typically works, and you do too. Make an arrest. Court. Delays for months. Justice might feel like a rumor at times.
However, this is what has been verified thus far:
- Kendrell Thomas has been formally charged with four major felonies
- His first-degree attempted murder charge could carry a life sentence
- Police are urging anyone with more info to call Shreveport PD (318-673-7300) or Caddo Crime Stoppers (318-673-7373)
And what about the woman?
She is still in critical condition in the hospital as of right now. No pictures. No public family statement. Just silence.
That silence breaks my heart. And if you re reading this, I hope it shakes you too.
So here s what I want from you:
- Keep her in your thoughts
- Share this story loudly
- If you know anything, say something
Because silence is how these crimes keep happening.
Have crimes like this become far too common in your area too? Scroll down and leave a comment we want to hear how you feel about keeping our elders safe.
Is This an Isolated Incident Or Part of Something Bigger in Louisiana?
I wish I could tell you this was a one-off.
But it s not.
According to FBI crime stats, home invasions targeting the elderly are rising across southern states including Louisiana.
You know what that tells me?
This isn t just about one victim. This is about all of us. And especially about the elders who trust us to protect them.
We can t shrug this off as another bad guy.
We have to ask harder questions:
- Why are predators choosing older women?
- Why aren t our cities investing in elder safety?
Because right now? Our silence is costing lives.
What You Can Do?
If this story made you angry that s not a bad thing.But anger without action is just noise.
Here s what I want you to take from this:
-
Start the conversation
: Ask your family, Are we secure enough? -
Support elder safety orgs
: Even a Facebook share spreads awareness -
Demand answers from local officials
: What are they doing about home invasions? -
Get involved
in neighborhood watch or online community alerts
And most importantly don t wait for it to hit your street to start caring.
A 91-year-old woman nearly died in her own closet. She doesn t know you. But you know about her now. And that means you owe her something.
Even if it s just one change to make your home or hers safer tomorrow.
We ve been seeing growing discussions around elder safety and neighborhood crime patterns in community spaces and alert groups including some that operate quietly over WhatsApp. Joining one of those groups might help you stay informed before the danger gets too close.
Final Thoughts
You and I both know how fast stories like this fade from the feed. But a 91-year-old woman was beaten, tied, and locked away like she didn t matter. She does. And so do the elders in your life.
So don t let this story stop at outrage. Let it move you to action. Because if we don t protect the most vulnerable among us who will?
If you re interested in more real-life cases like this one, check out our latest updates our websiteBuild Like New.
Disclaimer:This article is based on publicly available news sources and official statements at the time of writing. Details may evolve as investigations continue. Please verify with local authorities or law enforcement for the latest updates.
Table of Contents
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Police Found Her Tied Up, Locked in a Closet And Barely Alive
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The Hunt for the Suspect: Citizens Helped Police Track Him Down
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Who Is Kendrell Thomas? And Why Was He Free to Begin With?
-
What Makes a Home Invasion So Much Worse Than a Burglary?
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How Safe Is Your Elderly Loved One? Here s What You Can Do Right Now
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What Happens Now: Justice for the Victim, or Just Another Trial?
-
Is This an Isolated Incident Or Part of Something Bigger in Louisiana?
-
What You Can Do?
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Final Thoughts