Suspect in Crossroads murder killed by deputies hours later

A Monroe man suspected of killing a Union Parish resident Sunday, was himself killed later that day when he shot at Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputies as they attempting to arrest him.
Union Parish Sheriff Dusty Gates said deputies responded to a report of shots fired near Crossroads at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday and arrived to discover a deceased man on the front porch of the residence. Witness statements helped deputies identify a suspect with a Monroe address.
The UPSO contacted the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, which dispatched a SWAT unit to serve search and arrest warrant at the suspect’s Topic Drive address. Deputies discovered when they arrived that the suspect’s house was on fire and as they approached the home, they encountered the suspect in the front yard armed with firearm.
The suspect, who has not been identified, allegedly fired at deputies and was killed when they returned fire. No law enforcement officers were injured.
Arrests made in
October homicide
An October homicide investigation last week resulted in the arrest of three Union Parish residents.
The investigation began on October 6, when UPSO deputies found the body of Michael “Herby” Nichols near his residence in Downsville. Nichols died as the result of a gunshot wound to the back.
The UPSO investigation revealed that Kenneth Shane Spillers, 50, Sonya Turner Brown, 48, and Brown’s daughter, Leelah Starleigh Ann Turner, 22, traveled to Nichols’ home the day he was murdered. Deputies said that Brown and Nichols dated previously and the three went to his home to retrieve her things. UPSO said that when the three of them arrived at Nichols’ home, Spillers got out of his car and told the two women to stay inside.
Witness statements say the two men got into an argument over money and as Nichols turned to walk away, Spillers shot him in the back. Authorities say the three then left the home and Spillers told them not to speak of the incident.
All three were arrested and booked into the Union Parish Detention Center. Spillers has been charged with second-degree murder with a bond set at $1,250,000. Brown has been charged with accessory after the fact to second-degree murder with a bond set at $100,000. Leelah Starleigh Ann Turner has been charged with accessory after the fact to second-degree murder and felony failure to seek assistance with a bond set at $25,000.