SHREVEPORT, La. — The family of the victims killed in an April 2025 Shreveport house fire is suing the city and fire department, alleging crews were not told that “multiple people were inside the burning home” and that the first arriving engine company failed to search for those inside.
The lawsuit, filed on March 6 by Artilious Saxton and Cleveland Saxton, states that their mother, Mildred Carter-Rawls, was at her home in the 2400 block of Kemp Lane with her young granddaughters on April 6, 2025, when the house caught fire, according to KSLA.
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According to the suit, the children’s mother called 911 at about 6:37 a.m. after learning from her young daughter that the house was on fire and that the children were inside with their grandmother.
At about 6:38 a.m., Shreveport Fire Department dispatch alerted selected stations to respond to what was described as a possible house fire. The lawsuit alleges that dispatchers did not initially report that multiple people were inside the home.
The suit says Engine 6, the first-arriving engine company, and 8 were dispatched to the scene and as crews were boarding and leaving their stations, the department entered a message into the mobile display terminal indicating for the first time that people were inside the burning house. According to the lawsuit, the responding firefighters did not see that message and did not radio that occupants were trapped inside.
According to the lawsuit, Capt. Devin Kennedy was leading Engine 6, which arrived first at the house at about 6:43 a.m. Firefighters saw smoke and flames coming from the side of the home and began attacking the fire, the suit says. Engine 4 arrived shortly after.
The lawsuit alleges firefighters did not conduct a search or rescue and made no effort to determine whether anyone was inside, despite vehicles in the driveway and a 911 report that multiple people were trapped.
Engine 8, the third-arriving engine company, arrived after the fire was largely under control, and a firefighter then verbally relayed the MDT message that people were inside the home. Crews began a search at that point, the suit says, but it was too late.
KSLA reported that Kennedy was fired in June 2025 for allegedly failing to comply with department policy and procedures during the deadly fire. H In January, Kennedy asked the civil service board to reinstate him. His lawyer argued he was terminated without cause and was not given notice of the allegations or an opportunity to defend himself.
His attorney also said Kennedy was never told there were people inside the home when he was dispatched.
Testimony at Kennedy’s hearing from Shreveport Fire Department Chief of Communications Tina Turner indicated that a notification that people were inside the home was sent to responding crews. Kennedy’s attorney maintained that he was not verbally advised of that information.
Ultimately, the parties reached an agreement for Kennedy to retire effective Jan. 16. Under the deal, he will receive back pay from the date of his firing in June 2025 through his retirement, though he was not working during that period.
The family is seeking damages, including funeral and burial costs, medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of love and affection and loss of a chance of survival, as well as other general and special damages related to the wrongful death of Mildred Carter-Rawls.
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