Shots Fired: The Ambush of Corporal Shawn Kelly | Episode Three

In this episode of Behind the Scenes with Sheriff Jason Ard, The Sheriff sits down with Denham Springs Police Officer Chris Boyette. Officer Boyette was riding with Cpl. Shawn Kelly as part of Boyette’s training on May 11th 2023, when Cpl. Kelly was shot multiple times.

Denham Springs Police Department Corporal Shawn Kelly passed away on June 2, 2023 due to gunshot wounds he sustained in May of 2023.

Prior to his service with the Denham Springs Police Department, Kelly had served with the Louisiana Department of Corrections, totaling 29 years of law enforcement service. In his adult life, Kelly loved spending time with family, cooking, camping, and tinkering with things. Additionally, he loved to travel and gain new experiences. He was very passionate about his career and ensuring individuals in his community felt safe.

In the early evening hours of May 11, 2023, Kelly had been working a traffic assignment when he responded to a scene in which a man was arguing with a woman he did not know in the parking lot of a shopping center. Upon arriving at the scene, the suspect shot Kelly multiple times. After being transported to a local hospital, Kelly remained in critical condition before succumbing to his injuries on June 2, 2023.

Keywords

Shots Fired, Corporal Shawn Kelly, Law Enforcement, Livingston Parish, Sheriff Jason Ard

Chapters

• 0:05 Introduction to Behind the Scenes
• 0:34 Honoring Corporal Sean Kelly
• 3:46 The Day of the Incident
• 5:30 Chris's Experience in the Field
• 9:11 The Aftermath of the Shooting
• 13:08 Responding to the Chaos
• 19:15 Coping with Emotions
• 24:23 Continuing the Fight
• 27:50 Reflections on Sacrifice
• 28:45 Closing Thoughts and Support