Worker kills teen in apparent hold up attempt The Associated Press
7/21/01 11:04 AM

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) — A Shreveport teen-ager died from a gunshot wound
after exchanging gunfire with a hardware store worker during a botched
robbery attempt.

The employee of The Tool House fired one shot with a .357-caliber
revolver, hitting Diandre Lias in the chest, Shreveport Police Detective
Russell Ross said. Lias, 19, died about an hour later at LSU Hospital in
Shreveport Friday evening.

No charges were filed against the employee, who was not identified. The
case will be turned over to the district attorney’s office after
detectives finish their investigation, Ross said.
“I believe (the employee) did the right thing,” Nick Shihadeh, manager
of the nearby Triple JJJ store. “(If) someone tries to take your money
or your life, that’s it.”

Lias was wanted on a warrant for attempted murder. He allegedly shot a
man in the stomach May 9.

Lias was arrested in January and charged with the Dec. 6 robbery of a
Shreveport video store. Detectives said he was also a suspect in other
armed robberies.

Police said Lias walked in The Tool House wearing a blue bandanna over
the lower part of his face and armed with a .38-caliber revolver. He
cocked the gun and threatened three employees and one customer, Ross
said.

The employee and Lias both fired once, Ross said.

Lias “didn’t even make it in the store very far,” Ross said. “He was
just inside the door.”

Lias was picked up nearby by two acquaintances in a car, who drove him
to the hospital. Ross said the two men could face criminal charges if
they dropped the teen-ager off knowing he knew he was going to try to
rob the business.