Corterion Collins is fourth Caddo Parish high school athlete shot to death in two years

Two years, four shootings, four deaths of four athletes from four different Caddo Parish schools.

If that is sounding all too familiar, join the club. It’s a trend that needs ending sooner than later. More than 1,300 teenagers were killed by gun violence in the United States in 2022 and another 3,700 wounded according to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive.

The latest teenager death in Caddo Parish is Corterion “Tootie” Collins, a 17-year-old senior who was a starter on the North Caddo basketball team. He was shot and killed Dec. 29 in an exchange of gunfire between two groups of teenagers in Vivian, according to a release. A budding rap artist, Collins was described as “a smart, funny kid and very respectful” by the adults in his life.

North Caddo coach LeAndre Gipson said his players told him Collins was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Caddo Parish District Attorney James Stewart instituted a billboard campaign this week to support his efforts at stopping crime. Collins was the 50th homicide in Caddo Parish and the year concluded with 52 — an average of one per week. Stewart’s billboard reads, “Take a Life, Give Up Your Life.”

The same was said of Clinton “Three” Johnson (Woodlawn), Devin Myers (Huntington) and Minnion Jackson (Green Oaks). Still, all four young men with promising futures are gone after they were fatally shot.

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HUNTINGTON DEATH:Huntington basketball player Devin Myers killed in shooting

“It’s frustrating to lose young people, especially kids who are trying to stay straight,” Caddo District Attorney James Stewart said. “There are so many pressures on young people these days with the advent of social media.”

Stewart said his office encourages parents to be vigilant with their teenagers.

“Call law enforcement, a teacher or administrator if something seems to be wrong,” he said. “We want young people to not react to something in their lives by taking a life. We want them to pause and think, because there are repercussions if you take someone’s life.”

Law enforcement officials say the altercation with Collins, who was slated to graduate in May, happened around noon on Vivian’s North Cypress Street when an estimated 20 rounds of ammo were dispensed between the opposing groups. Two juveniles, along with 20-year-old Marty Whatley, have been arrested in connection with the incident and the investigation continues, according to Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.

Collins died at 1:08 p.m. at Ochsner LSU Health leaving his mother, Michelle Peterson, without her middle son, who loved his grandmother’s Rotel dip, Dorito casserole and attending the Greater Love Outreach Ministry in Vivian.

“I was at home watching TV when someone knocked on my door and gave me the news. I panicked,” Peterson said. “Tutu liked to make people laugh and he loved his teammates. He just wanted to play basketball at SUSLA with his brother.”

Gipson and the Titans basketball team dropped out of last week’s Bossier Invitational basketball tournament as the team dealt with the loss.

“Tootie was a big baby but not a bad kid or problem maker,” Gipson said. “He competed on the basketball court and gave us all he had.”

Not long before he died, Collins posted a couple of rap videos on YouTube entitled “Betrayed” and “Die Young.” The latter, filmed in a graveyard as Collins walked among tombstones, left his fans with the following chilling lyrics.

“I can’t stop talking to God because I believe in faith. I can’t trust nobody because they’ll stab you in the back and smile to your face. I’m chasing God, they’re chasing fame. That’s just not the same,” Collins sang. “Tell me why the good die young, I don’t understand. My mom raised me, but God made me a better man.”

Jimmy Watson covers Shreveport-Bossier area sports. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.