BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Six people were wounded and one of them, a 17-year-old, died after gunfire rang out in the food court area of the Mall of Louisiana on Bluebonnet Boulevard in Baton Rouge about 1:22 p.m. Thursday.
The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office identified the teen killed as Martha Odom.
Martha Odom(The Authored Ascension)
Signi Dreyer, who works at the carousel inside the mall, said she was cleaning when she heard gunshots and saw a gunman “turning in circles and shooting.” She said it appeared the person was “shooting randomly.”
“I heard a loud bang and then another loud bang,” Dreyer said. “At first, I thought someone was shooting fireworks in the food court. I turned around, and I saw people dropping to the ground, and I immediately saw the gun.”
Police said the gunfire was the result of a confrontation between two groups and not a random shooting. Within hours, authorities announced five suspects were in custody, including one arrested in Livingston Parish.
During a news update on Friday, police announced they arrested one suspect and charged him with murder. The other detainees are not facing charges at this time.
Police also released an image of a person still wanted.
Photo released of mall shooting suspect during BRPD update Friday, April 24(WAFB)
Sheriff Jason Ard with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office said investigators cannot confirm the person detained earlier in Watson, now identified as Marcus Washington, 18, was involved in the shooting. Ard said Washington was arrested and booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center after investigators found him in possession of Schedule II narcotics and a firearm.
Ard also added that the investigation remains ongoing and questions about the mall shooting should be directed to the Baton Rouge Police Department.
Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse said all six victims appear to have been innocent bystanders and not part of the confrontation. “The incident that transpired today is completely unacceptable,” Morse said.
Morse declined to identify the victims Thursday evening, saying he wanted to allow time for their families to be notified.
At least three of the wounded were from a high school in Lafayette, Louisiana, leaders in that city confirmed.
“The victims include three seniors from Ascension Episcopal School in Lafayette,” Lafayette Mayor-President Monique B. Boulet said in a statement. “We are heartbroken by the senseless violence that happened,” Boulet said.
Morse urged members of the public to come forward with any information they might have, including videos that might show the shooting or its aftermath.
In a Thursday evening news conference, East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards praised the prompt response of law enforcement and paramedics to a “chaotic and dangerous” situation. “Violence like this will not be tolerated in Baton Rouge,” Edwards said.
A Baton Rouge police officer was on patrol in the mall when the incident occurred, authorities said.
Morse said he believes more suspects are out there. “In no way is this investigation over, and we do believe more people are involved,” Morse said.
Charles Koger, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans Division, said the FBI is providing a supporting role and will provide any needed resources.
The Mall of Louisiana confirmed it will be closed on Friday, April 24.
Sheriff Sid Gautreaux with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office issued a statement:
Today’s incident at the Mall of Louisiana is a reminder of how quickly situations can evolve and how critical a coordinated law enforcement response is in protecting our community.
I want to personally recognize the deputies of the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office who responded- many of whom were already on site working extra duty assignments and immediately took action. Without hesitation, they rendered aid to victims, assisted in evacuating patrons, and began securing the scene.
Within minutes, additional EBRSO deputies arrived and established a perimeter, supported by specialized units including SWAT, Air Support, SCAT, Gang Intelligence and Enforcement, Homicide, Crime Scene, Uniform Patrol and our Community Policing Division. Our teams worked alongside our law enforcement partners to stabilize the situation and ensure the safety of everyone in the area.
Behind the scenes, our Gang Intelligence and Enforcement teams have been actively developing information related to this case, assisting with surveillance efforts, and supporting ongoing investigative work. Our personnel remain engaged and are continuing to assist with operations, including the execution of warrants tied to this investigation.
I also want to acknowledge the coordinated efforts of all responding local, state, and federal agencies. Incidents like this require a unified response, and we remain committed to working alongside our partners to ensure a thorough and effective investigation.
I am proud of the professionalism, urgency, and commitment demonstrated by our deputies today- both those who responded in the moment and those continuing to work diligently behind the scenes.
Most importantly, our prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those impacted by today’s events. In times like these, we lean on our faith and on one another. We ask God to bring comfort to those who are hurting, strength to those who are grieving, and peace to our community in the days ahead.
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office will continue to provide resources, manpower, and support as this investigation moves forward. Our priority remains the safety of this community and the protection of those we serve.
Our Lady of the Lake Hospital issued a statement:
“As we continue to serve the needs of our community in the wake of this tragedy, we ask that all family members report to the main entrance of Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical. Please be advised that Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital are on secured access. We are asking that visitors and guests refrain from visiting our facility at this time, our emergency rooms will remain open at this time. Additional updates will be provided as the situation evolves.”
Multiple officials have released statements about the shooting:
“I’m on scene at the mall. We have set up a command post. There has been a shooting with multiple victims. All civilians have been safely escorted out of the mall. Please keep the victims and their families in your prayers.”
“I am aware of the active shooter scene at the Mall of Louisiana. I am in coordination with law enforcement and we will update as we know more. Please avoid the area.
Sharon and I are praying for those affected and are grateful for a quick response by our law enforcement officials.”
“I have spoken to District Attorney Hillar Moore, who is actively monitoring the situation involving a weapon or weapons being discharged in the Food Court at the Mall of Louisiana. Multiple law enforcement agencies are responding – please avoid the area. More details will be available soon.”
Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry released a statement on Friday condemning the “violence that has shaken our community.”
Furthermore, she said in part:
“This week has been marked by violence in communities across our state. It must stop. The victims are not strangers. They are part of us. They are our neighbors, our friends, and our families.
This time, it happened just down the street from my office and, as I learned last night, directly impacted a childhood neighbor of mine with the loss of his daughter.
I cannot begin to understand the depth of grief these families are experiencing. No parent or family should have to endure something like this.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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