A New Orleans shooting of a black teenager by a white man is already being compared to the death of Trayvon Martin and the George Zimmerman case. Merritt Landry, 33, shot a 14-year-old black teenager late last week. Marshall Coulter remains in critical condition at an area hospital.
Unlike the George Zimmerman case, there is reportedly surveillance video of the New Orleans shooting and at least eyeball witness to the incident. The witness account of the shooting differs from Landry’s. According to the video footage, Coulter reportedly had a friend waiting for him outside of the fence. It remains unclear if the witness and the alleged friend are one in the same.
Merritt Landry told NOPD detectives that his barking dog alerted him to someone inside his gated yard near his vehicle. Landry told New Orleans police officers that the victim made a “thwarted movement” and was possibly reaching down for a weapon. The homeowner shot the Marshall Coulter in the head form 30 feet away. The incident took place around 2 am, making is unclear if Merritt Landry realized either the race of age of the suspected burglar.
Marshall Coulter has reportedly had issues with curfew violations and “small-time” burglary incidents in the past. The shooting victim’s brother David had this to say about his sibling:
“He would steal — he was a professional thief, sure. But he would never pick up a gun, not in a million years. He was too scared to aim a gun at the grass, let alone aim it at a person. No way. Before he’ll ever pick up a gun, he’ll be your friend first. He’s still a little boy. Who pulls a trigger on a 14-year-old? What if it was your little brother or sister? How would you feel?”
Merritt Landry posted $100,000 bond on Friday. He has been charged with second degree murder. Landry works for the city as a Historic District Landmarks Commission building inspector. He has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. Marshall Coulter has reportedly shown some improvement and can move his right side but not his left.
[Image Via: Shutterstock.com ]
