91‑Year‑Old Woman Robbed and Tied Up in Louisiana Home Break‑In

When I first read about what happened in Shreveport, I felt sick to my stomach. A 91-year-old woman—someone’s grandmother, maybe someone’s mother—was found tied up, beaten, and locked inside a closet in her own home. She wasn’t just robbed. She was hunted in the place she should’ve felt safest.

Police say it happened on July 2nd, on Sommersworth Drive. The woman was barely clinging to life when officers found her. Right now, she’s still in the hospital, fighting to survive.

Let that sink in: 91 years old. Beaten and left to die in a closet.

This isn’t just another headline. This is what home invasion really looks like. And if it can happen to her, in broad daylight, it raises a question we all have to ask—how safe are our most vulnerable loved ones, really?

Police Found Her Tied Up, Locked in a Closet — And Barely Alive

I want you to imagine this: You’re a police officer responding to a quiet home on Sommersworth Drive. Nothing seems out of place—until you step inside. And there she is. A 91-year-old woman, tied up, beaten badly, and locked inside her own closet.

That’s the exact horror Shreveport Police walked into on July 2, according to 710 KEEL News.
She wasn’t just injured. She was fighting for her life—and she’s still in critical condition as you read this.

It’s not just the brutality that hits hard—it’s the vulnerability. This could’ve been your grandmother. Your neighbor. Your loved one living alone.

If this doesn’t shake you, I don’t know what will.

The Hunt for the Suspect: Citizens Helped Police Track Him Down

The good news? Police didn’t waste time. And neither did people like you.

After discovering the crime scene, detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit launched a full investigation. With help from the Narcotics Unit, federal partners, and tips from alert citizens, they tracked the suspect to Stone Vista Apartments.

He didn’t resist. He didn’t run. He was just… caught.

This wasn’t just a police win—it was a community win. People like you helped bring him down.

Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said it best:

“This was a heartless, violent attack on one of our most vulnerable residents.”

He’s right. And now, one less violent man is walking free—because you cared enough to speak up.

Who Is Kendrell Thomas? And Why Was He Free to Begin With?

The man police arrested is Kendrell Thomas, 24 years old. Young enough to rebuild his life, but instead, he chose violence. And now he’s facing four heavy charges, as reported by KSLA:

• Attempted first-degree murder
• Aggravated kidnapping
• Second-degree battery
• Home invasion

You read that right—attempted murder. The charges speak volumes about what police believe he intended to do.

Here’s what I find chilling: there’s barely any public information on whether this was random or targeted.

Was she known to him? Was he watching her house?

That silence is terrifying—and it leaves every elderly person around us vulnerable if this was just “random.”

And just days ago in Detroit, a two-year-old was hit by a stray bullet while inside their home—proving again that home isn’t always the safe haven we assume it to be.

What Makes a Home Invasion So Much Worse Than a Burglary?

Look, you’ve heard of break-ins before. But this wasn’t some petty thief stealing electronics. This was a home invasion—and it’s legally and morally a whole different level.

Let me break it down for you.

In Louisiana, a home invasion means someone enters an inhabited dwelling without permission with the intent to use force or violence. It’s a felony that usually involves harming or threatening the people inside.

So when Kendrell Thomas forced his way into that woman’s home, tied her up, and nearly beat her to death—that wasn’t just burglary.

That was terrorism at home.

Penalties for home invasion in Louisiana can carry up to 30 years in prison, especially with aggravating factors like attempted murder. And honestly? That still doesn’t feel like enough.

In Michigan’s Washtenaw County, two arrests were made following a drive-by home shooting, highlighting how even different forms of home-targeted violence are becoming disturbingly routine.

How Safe Is Your Elderly Loved One? Here’s What You Can Do Right Now

If you’re anything like me, your first thought after reading this wasn’t “What a tragedy.”
It was: “What if this happened to my mother?”

Let’s be real—most elderly folks don’t fight back. They don’t expect danger at home. That’s why you can’t afford to ignore this.

Here are a few things you can do tonight to protect your parents, grandparents, or even yourself:

• Install peephole or door cameras (even budget smart cams like Blink or Wyze help)
• Use strong deadbolt locks and security bars, especially for backdoors
• Teach seniors to never open doors to strangers—even if they look official
• Add a medical emergency alert system with panic buttons or wearable SOS devices
• Set up regular check-ins with neighbors or family (a quick morning “Are you okay?” call works wonders)

According to report, over 30% of elderly crime victims knew their attacker. So this isn’t about paranoia—this is about being ready.

If this story scared you, good. Now use that fear to build something safer.

A similar case involving multiple charges after a violent intrusion was reported in Enfield, where a man faced seven charges following a home invasion.

What Happens Now: Justice for the Victim, or Just Another Trial?

You and I both know how this usually goes. Arrest. Court. Months of delays. Sometimes justice feels like a rumor.

But here’s what’s confirmed so far:

• Kendrell Thomas has been formally charged with four major felonies
• His first-degree attempted murder charge could carry a life sentence
• Police are urging anyone with more info to call Shreveport PD (318-673-7300) or Caddo Crime Stoppers (318-673-7373)

And what about the woman?

As of now, she’s still in the hospital—critical condition. No photos. No public family statement. Just silence.

That silence breaks my heart. And if you’re reading this, I hope it shakes you too.

So here’s what I want from you:

• Keep her in your thoughts
• Share this story—loudly
• If you know anything, say something

Because silence is how these crimes keep happening.

Have crimes like this become far too common in your area too? Scroll down and leave a comment—we want to hear how you feel about keeping our elders safe.

Is This an Isolated Incident — Or Part of Something Bigger in Louisiana?

I wish I could tell you this was a one-off.

But it’s not.

According to FBI crime stats, home invasions targeting the elderly are rising across southern states—including Louisiana.

You know what that tells me?

This isn’t just about one victim. This is about all of us. And especially about the elders who trust us to protect them.

We can’t shrug this off as “another bad guy.”

We have to ask harder questions:

• Why are predators choosing older women?
• Why aren’t our cities investing in elder safety?

Because right now? Our silence is costing lives.

What You Can Do?

If this story made you angry—that’s not a bad thing.
But anger without action is just noise.

Here’s what I want you to take from this:

• Start the conversation: Ask your family, “Are we secure enough?”
• Support elder safety orgs: Even a Facebook share spreads awareness
• Demand answers from local officials: What are they doing about home invasions?
• Get involved in neighborhood watch or online community alerts

And most importantly—don’t wait for it to hit your street to start caring.

A 91-year-old woman nearly died in her own closet. She doesn’t know you. But you know about her now. And that means you owe her something.

Even if it’s just one change to make your home—or hers—safer tomorrow.

We’ve been seeing growing discussions around elder safety and neighborhood crime patterns in community spaces and alert groups—including some that operate quietly over WhatsApp. Joining one of those groups might help you stay informed before the danger gets too close.

Final Thoughts

You and I both know how fast stories like this fade from the feed. But a 91-year-old woman was beaten, tied, and locked away like she didn’t matter. She does. And so do the elders in your life.

So don’t let this story stop at outrage. Let it move you to action. Because if we don’t protect the most vulnerable among us—who will?

If you’re interested in more real-life cases like this one, check out our latest updates our website Build Like New.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news sources and official statements at the time of writing. Details may evolve as investigations continue. Please verify with local authorities or law enforcement for the latest updates.