RAPIDES PARISH, La. (UrbanCast: 7/6/2026) — UrbanCast has confirmed that Samauria Norris, one of two women charged in connection with the July 4 Hall Street homicide, was transferred to another detention facility and was not released on bond, despite the Rapides Parish inmate inquiry indicating she had been released.
UrbanCast also confirmed Norris is a former Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office corrections deputy who was previously arrested and terminated in an unrelated criminal investigation.
The clarification comes after the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests of Norris and Lakeisha Lakedra Roberts in connection with the fatal shooting that claimed the life of 43-year-old Kendrick Dotson.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded at approximately 4:34 p.m. Saturday, July 4, to the 5400 block of Hall Street in the Grundy Cooper Subdivision after receiving reports of shots fired.
When deputies arrived, they found one man lying in the driveway of a residence suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. An EMS provider transported him to a local hospital, where he remained in stable condition at the time of the sheriff’s office’s latest release.
Deputies also learned that another man, later identified as Kendrick Dotson, had suffered gunshot wounds. Investigators said a neighbor transported Dotson to the hospital before deputies arrived. Despite lifesaving efforts, Dotson later died at Rapides Regional Medical Center. The Rapides Parish Coroner’s Office previously confirmed his death. A standard autopsy is pending.
During the investigation, detectives determined that Norris and Roberts went to a residence in the 5400 block of Hall Street, where a verbal disturbance occurred with Dotson. Investigators said another male later arrived, and gunfire erupted between the two men.
Investigation
Based on the investigation, detectives obtained arrest warrants for both women.
Norris, 25, was booked on charges of:
- Second-degree murder
- Criminal conspiracy
- Obstruction of justice (evidence tampering)
Although the public inmate inquiry reflected that Norris had been “released,” UrbanCast confirmed she was transferred to another detention facility and was not released on bond.
Roberts, 42, was booked on charges of:
- Second-degree murder
- Criminal conspiracy
She remains in custody on a $1.1 million bond, according to Rapides Parish inmate records.
Former Deputy Previously Arrested
Norris was hired as a Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office corrections deputy in October 2024.
In January 2025, the sheriff’s office announced that corrections security investigators received an anonymous complaint alleging inappropriate sexual contact between Norris and an inmate at the Rapides Parish Detention Center.
Following the investigation, authorities arrested Norris on two counts of malfeasance in office involving sexual conduct. She was terminated from the sheriff’s office upon her arrest. That case remains pending and is separate from the Hall Street homicide investigation.
Investigation Continues
UrbanCast also spoke with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer early Sunday morning. He said he had not yet been briefed on the latest developments but confirmed that investigators worked throughout the nightprocessing the scene, collecting evidence, and conducting interviews.
The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office said the Hall Street investigation remains active and that additional arrests are probable. Authorities have also stated there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Detective Matthew Deville with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 318-473-6727, the RPSO Main Office at 318-473-6700, or Crime Stoppers at 318-443-7867.
All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The UrbanCast and InvolvedInItAll.com family extends our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Kendrick Dotson during this difficult time. Our thoughts also remain with the surviving victim as he continues his recovery.
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