Teen killed by Terrebonne Parish deputy was holding BB gun, newspaper reports

The teen shot and killed Tuesday (Sept. 23) by a Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s deputy was holding a BB gun,The Courier reported Wednesday.

The deputy, who was investigating reports of armed individuals at an abandoned house in Houma, was met at the door by 14-year-old Cameron Tillman holding a BB gun, Terrebonne Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said. The deputy, thinking it was a real gun, “feared for his life,” he said.

“I don’t think he knew police officers were there. I think he was expecting to open the door to his friends,” Larpenter said of Tillman. “My personal opinion, I think it was a freak accident, and I think the evidence will show that. I think it is a tragedy with this young man who I heard nothing but good things about.”