At a press conference, Edmonson initially described the shooting as an exchange of gunfire, but later clarified that only the officers had shot, and that investigators had found no gun in Fews car. Officials had previously declined to confirm whether officer gunfire was responsible for Mardiss death.
Edmonson also said video footage of the incident does exist, but that investigators have not reviewed it. He added that the officers involved there are four had so far refused to speak with state police investigators. Police have not released the names of the involved officers.
Asked by the Guardian what reason they offered for their silence, Edmonson said: Youd have to ask them. We are trying to talk with them.
At least one of the shooters was a Marksville police officer who was moonlighting for the city marshals office, an agency responsible for serving court papers . But according to Marksvilles mayor, John Lemoine, city marshal Floyd Voinche and his officers have recently begun overstepping their authority.
I dont know why he felt the need to start patrolling in city limits, Lemoine said Thursday of Voinche. It makes no sense to me.
The Guardian could not reach Voinche for comment before press time.
Edmonson, the state police head, said his investigators started gathering evidence the night of the shooting, attempting to reconstruct what happened without the cooperation of the officers involved.
Orange spray paint marks the orientation of Fews car and three patrol cars, at the intersection of Taensas Street and Martin Luther King Drive. The particular placement of the cars and a spray of glass from the passengers side of Fews car seems to indicate Few was not backing toward the officers. His car was perpendicular to them, and the officers shots hit the drivers side broadside.
Avoyolles Parish coroner LJ Mayeux said Mardis was killed by multiple gunshot wounds to the head and torso. He died at the scene. His father, Few, is in serious condition at Rapides Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana.
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