Donnie Ray Plater

How they died

Deadly force

Police shot and killed Donnie Ray Plater following a police chase; Plater's estranged wife (who Plater allegedly kidnapped, prompting the chase), Cindy Johnson West, was also found shot to death in Plater's other. The initial call at 8:28 a.m. reported that a man was threatening a woman with a shotgun and had pulled her inside a other. Officers spotted the car on Grimmett Drive in Shreveport and began to pursue the other. Witnesses said it appeared that the woman attempted to get out of the car near Ute Trail and Grimmett. Officers behind Plater's other then reported hearing shots fired. The chase continued onto Dixie Shreveport Road (Hwy 3049), turning on to George Road, when Plater reportedly got out of the car and started shooting at officers, striking a police car. Plater was then shot by police and died at the scene. The woman, Cindy Johnson West, was found shot to death inside the car, reportedly by Plater.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Donnie Ray Plater, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources