Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The trial for the man accused in the 2021 shooting death of Tulane University Police officer and Court Constable Martinus Mitchum is set to begin Wednesday, April 3.
John Shallerhorn has been charged with first-degree murder after police say he shot and killed Mitchum on February 26, 2021.
The New Orleans Police Department reports Mitchum was working a security detail for a basketball game at George Washington Carver High School. That’s when Shallerhorn allegedly tried to enter the gym without wearing a mask, but was denied entry.
Shallerhorn is accused of then getting into an argument with a school staffer. Mitchum attempted to de-escalate the situation, and that’s when police say Shallhorn pulled out a gun and shot Mitchum.
Mitchum was taken to University Hospital, where he later died from his wounds.
Former NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson gave a recount of the incident.
“An individual attempted to enter the game and had an altercation with one of the staff members.
Shallerhorn was instructed by school employees to comply with the entry procedures. He then initiated a violent confrontation by striking the employee in the face.
The officer (Mitchum) heard the disturbance and attempted to intervene. As a result of intervening and attempting to escort the individual out of the school, this individual pulled his weapon and fired a shot that struck the officer in the chest.”
Former NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson – February 2021
NOPD officers said Shallerhorn was quickly arrested after the shooting.
“It is my personal belief he (Micthum) was a hero on this day, because I can only imagine what could have happened had he made entry into that game,” said Ferguson in 2021.
Shallerhorn’s trial begins at 9:30 a.m.
WGNO will provide an update as the trial develops.
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