Murder Trial Scheduled for October in Shreveport
Demond Sirlloyd Baber and DeAnthony Griffin will face trial for the 2024 killing of a one-year-old child.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Violence
The Caddo District Court has scheduled the murder trial for Demond Sirlloyd Baber and DeAnthony Griffin to begin on October 12, 2026. Both men face second-degree murder charges related to the February 11, 2024, shooting of one-year-old Karter Martin.
Why it matters
The trial addresses a high-profile case involving a lethal incident at a local apartment complex. Legal proceedings will determine criminal accountability for the death of a child and injuries sustained by Isaiah Cooks during the gunfire.
Demond Sirlloyd Baber and DeAnthony Griffin face charges of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. Baber is currently held at the Caddo Correctional Center on a $1,000,000 bond.
The players
Demond Sirlloyd Baber
He is a 25-year-old defendant currently awaiting trial while held in the Caddo Correctional Center.
DeAnthony Griffin
He is a 30-year-old defendant who was previously convicted of simple kidnapping in 2020.
Karter Martin
He was a one-year-old child who died during a shooting incident on Stoner Avenue.
Don Hathaway Jr.
He is a judge in the Caddo District Court presiding over the murder trial proceedings.
Isaiah Cooks
He is an individual who sustained injuries during the shooting incident on February 11, 2024.
The details
Prosecutors allege that 6 to 7 individuals exited two vehicles, a red Dodge sedan and a Kia sedan, and fired multiple rounds into an apartment building located at Stoner Avenue and Viking Drive. Judge Don Hathaway Jr. has ruled that phone location evidence is admissible for the upcoming proceedings.
Timeline
September 2020: Griffin entered a guilty plea to simple kidnapping.
July 2023: Baber was arrested on a weapons charge.
February 11, 2024: Karter Martin died in a shooting on Stoner Avenue.
October 12, 2026: The murder trial is scheduled to begin.
Legal Context
This case follows the pattern of violent incidents in the city that have prompted heightened scrutiny of criminal proceedings, similar to the July 4, 2023 Shreveport quadruple homicide. Courts are increasingly utilizing forensic data to prosecute suspects in multi-defendant shooting cases.
The upcoming trial highlights continued local efforts to resolve violent crimes that impacted community safety on Stoner Avenue. Residents may see continued attention on the Caddo District Court as the judicial process proceeds.
The takeaway
The court's decision to allow phone location evidence marks a critical step in the prosecution of the alleged shooters. Families affected by gun violence in the city continue to monitor these proceedings as a test of the justice system's response to residential shootings.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings, visit the Shreveport Violence page.
