14-Year-Old Shot by Neighbor in Louisiana While Kids Play Hide and Seek Outside
Starks, Louisiana — A quiet night in the small town of Starks, Louisiana, turned into a nightmare when a 14-year-old girl was shot in the back of the head by her neighbor while playing hide and seek with friends.
The incident, which occurred early Sunday morning on May 7, 2023, has sparked outrage, raised questions about gun laws, and left a community grappling with the aftermath of a senseless act of violence.
Incident Overview
The shooting took place on Jimmy Doyle Road, a dead-end street in Starks, a small town near the Texas state line with a population of just over 2,000.
The area is home to only three residents: the suspect, David V. Doyle, 58; the victim’s family; and a relative of the victim.
According to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, a group of juveniles were playing hide and seek, a common childhood game, when they ventured onto Doyle’s property to hide.
Doyle, upon seeing shadows outside his home, retrieved a firearm and began shooting when he saw people running away.
One of the bullets struck a 14-year-old girl in the back of her head. She was rushed to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is currently recovering.
The incident has left the community in shock and ignited a broader conversation about gun safety and self-defense laws.
Details of the Shooting
The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office provided a detailed account of the events leading up to the shooting.
At approximately 1 a.m. on May 7, 2023, deputies were dispatched to a residence on Jimmy Doyle Road in reference to shots fired.
Upon arrival, they learned that a 14-year-old girl had been shot in the back of the head while playing with a group of friends.
David V. Doyle was arrested at the scene and charged with aggravated battery, four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, and illegal discharge of a firearm.
He was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center, where his bond remains pending.
In a statement to CNN affiliate KPLC, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Kayla Vincent explained Doyle’s account of the incident.
“He stated that he went inside, grabbed his firearm, and when he saw people running away, he started shooting,” Vincent said.
Doyle claimed he saw shadows and believed someone was trying to break into his home.
However, the juveniles were simply playing a game and had no intention of entering his property.
The victim’s family has not released a public statement, but sources close to the family say they are devastated and are calling for justice.
The 14-year-old girl, whose name has not been released to protect her privacy, is expected to make a full physical recovery, though the psychological impact of the incident may linger.
58 year-old Louisiana man shot a 14 year-old girl who was playing hide and seek with her friends. He saw shadows outside his home and started shooting. The girl survived. pic.twitter.com/P9yY7YVJDc
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 9, 2023
Legal Proceedings
Doyle’s arrest has brought renewed attention to Louisiana’s ‘stand your ground’ law, which allows individuals to use deadly force in self-defense without a duty to retreat.
The law permits the use of force if a person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm, or to prevent a violent crime.
Legal experts are divided on whether Doyle’s actions could be justified under this law.
“For the ‘stand your ground’ defense to apply, there needs to be a reasonable belief of imminent danger,” said criminal defense attorney John Smith.
“In this case, it’s unclear if Doyle had such a belief, especially since the juveniles were running away from the property.”
Doyle has not yet entered a plea, and his attorney has not responded to requests for comment.
The case is expected to go to trial, where the details of the incident will be thoroughly examined.
Legal analysts predict that the prosecution will need to demonstrate that Doyle’s use of force was excessive and not justified under Louisiana law.
This case is not the first time Louisiana’s ‘stand your ground’ law has come under scrutiny.
On May 13, 2024, another incident in Shreveport, Louisiana, involved a 12-year-old boy, Jaylen Coleman, who was shot and killed by a resident while allegedly attempting to break into vehicles.
The shooter in that case has not been arrested, and the investigation is complicated by the state’s ‘stand your ground’ provisions.
These incidents highlight the complexities and controversies surrounding self-defense laws in Louisiana.
| Incident Details | Starks Shooting (2023) | Shreveport Shooting (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Jimmy Doyle Road, Starks, LA | 8800 block of Hawthorne Drive, Shreveport, LA |
| Date | May 7, 2023 | May 13, 2024 |
| Victim | 14-year-old girl, non-life-threatening injuries | 12-year-old boy, Jaylen Coleman, fatal |
| Suspect | David V. Doyle, arrested | Resident, not arrested |
| Charges | Aggravated battery, 4 counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal discharge of a firearm | None filed yet |
| Context | Juveniles playing hide and seek | Juveniles allegedly attempting vehicle break-ins |
| Legal Issue | ‘Stand your ground’ law applicability questioned | Investigation complicated by ‘stand your ground’ laws |
Community Reaction
The small community of Starks is still reeling from the incident. “This is not the kind of thing that happens here,” said local resident Mary Johnson.
“We’re a close-knit community, and something like this is just heartbreaking.”
A vigil was held for the victim, where community members gathered to show their support and call for stricter gun control measures.
“We need to make sure that our children can play safely without fear of being shot,” said organizer Lisa Martinez.
The incident has also sparked a broader conversation about gun laws in Louisiana, which has some of the loosest gun regulations in the country.
According to Everytown for Gun Safety, Louisiana has seen a high number of unintentional shootings involving children.
In 2022 alone, there were at least nine unintentional shootings by children in the state, underscoring the need for stricter gun storage laws and education on firearm safety.
Advocacy groups have been vocal in their response to the Starks shooting.
Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement for gun sense, issued a statement condemning the incident.
“No child should fear for their life while playing a game,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action.
“This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers of lax gun laws and the need for comprehensive reform.”
Students Demand Action, the youth-led counterpart to Moms Demand Action, organized a rally in Baton Rouge to demand safer communities.
“We are tired of seeing our friends and classmates become victims of gun violence,” said a student organizer. “It’s time for our leaders to take action.”
The incident has also prompted discussions on social media, with many users expressing outrage and calling for justice for the young victim.
Hashtags like #JusticeForStarks and #EndGunViolence have been trending on platforms like X.
Background on ‘Stand Your Ground’ Laws
Louisiana’s ‘stand your ground’ law, enacted in 2006, allows individuals to use deadly force in self-defense without the duty to retreat, provided they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.
This law has been controversial, with proponents arguing that it empowers citizens to protect themselves, while opponents say it leads to unnecessary violence.
In recent years, similar laws have been scrutinized in cases where individuals have used deadly force in situations later deemed unjustified.
The Doyle case may add to this debate, as it involves the shooting of a child during a harmless game.
Critics argue that such laws can escalate minor incidents into deadly confrontations, especially when children are involved.
Victim’s Recovery and Family Support
The 14-year-old victim is recovering from her injuries, though the full extent of her psychological trauma remains unknown.
According to medical reports, she is expected to make a full physical recovery.
The victim’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with medical expenses and to support the family during this difficult time.
The page has raised over $10,000 in donations, with messages of support from across the country.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
David V. Doyle remains in custody at the Calcasieu Correctional Center, awaiting trial.
His attorney has filed a motion for bond, which is pending review by the court.
The trial date has not been set, but legal analysts predict that it could take several months for the case to go to trial.
The prosecution will likely present evidence showing that Doyle’s use of force was excessive and not justified under Louisiana law.
The defense may argue that Doyle acted in self-defense, fearing for his safety.
As the legal process unfolds, the community of Starks and advocates nationwide will be watching closely, hoping for justice and a reevaluation of gun laws to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The Doyle case raises critical questions about gun ownership, self-defense laws, and the safety of children in America.
