Myron Flowers, 28
Clinton, Louisiana
April 12, 2019
Cause of death: Shooting
Last updated: almost 5 years ago
Overview 
Myron Flowers was a back-seat passenger in a vehicle stopped late Friday in Clinton for an equipment violation, and though the driver complied with officers, Flowers did not, according to East Feliciana Sheriff’s Chief Criminal Deputy Greg Phares.
“The driver of the car ... was apparently compliant and cooperative, but when the officer attempted to question Mr. Flowers, who was in the rear seat, he noticed a gun in Mr. Flowers’ pocket,” Phares said at a news conference Monday afternoon. “He attempted to secure that gun, and Mr. Flowers struggled with him, and that’s how it started.”
Phares said State Police, who are assisting in the investigation, have not yet processed forensic evidence from the scene that could prove Flowers also fired one of his weapons at the officers.
However, Phares confirmed that deputy Cullen Wilson, who made the initial traffic stop, and Clinton police officer Richard Boudoin fired their weapons during the encounter, killing Flowers. Boudoin had been called to provide backup to Wilson, Phares said.
Phares noted that statements from Wilson and Boudoin are consistent with the statement about the exchange of gunfire provided by the civilian witness. However, he declined to go into detail about what the officers told investigators and would not identify the civilian witness.
And despite noting that investigators have yet to examine or get results back on physical evidence, Phares said results of the initial investigation show that the shooting was justified.
“The information we have at our disposal now indicates that both officers acted legally within the provision of (the) law,” Phares said.
The traffic stop that ended with Flowers’ death occurred about 9 p.m. Friday on Jackson Street near the RKM Primary Care in Clinton. Phares said he did not know the specific equipment violation that initiated the traffic stop but said he believes it had to do with lighting. He said he did not know if any tickets or citations were issued during or after the stop.
There is no body or dash camera footage of the incident, however, Phares said there is a low-quality video from a local business, which investigators are reviewing.