Shooting reported at Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge
One person was killed and five others were injured in a shooting involving two groups at the Mall of Louisiana, Baton Rouge authorities said.
A 17-year-old has been charged with first-degree murder after another teenager was shot and killed this week at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, with bullets flying in the food court after a confrontation.
Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse said authorities announced April 24 that Markelle Lee was being held in a local jail on suspicion of murder and five counts of attempted first-degree murder. The charges stem from a shooting at a shopping mall where police say they captured an innocent bystander in the crossfire.
USA TODAY is working to identify an attorney to represent Lee or a family member who can speak on his behalf.
The Advocate reported that police identified the girl killed in the April 23 shooting as Martha Odom, 17, who was described as the successful captain of the soccer team, the editor of her school newspaper and a teacher at the dance school.
Three weeks before graduation, she went to the mall with friends for “Senior Skip Day,” the newspaper reported.
Among the other five people injured in the shooting, a 43-year-old man was in critical condition and underwent surgery Friday, Morse said.
Here’s what you need to know about Deadly Mall Melee.
Where did the shooting occur?
The shooting occurred inside the food court at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, about 16 miles southwest of downtown.
The mall is the largest in the state and is located just off Interstate 10 near Bluebonnet Boulevard, the city’s main thoroughfare.
What happened in the Louisiana Mall shooting?
Police announced on April 24 that detectives were continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the shooting.
Morse said this was “not a random act of violence, but a very targeted disagreement between two groups”.
“It appears that words were exchanged in front of some food vendors in the food court and then a gun was drawn,” Morse said. “When the gun was pulled and the shots rang out, unfortunately and very tragically, an innocent victim lost his life.”
Who died in the Louisiana shopping mall shooting?
17-year-old Martha Odom was killed in the shooting.
Morse would not say whether Martha was involved in the struggle that led to the shooting or was a bystander.
Who else was injured in the shopping mall shooting?
Five people were injured in the shooting, including a 43-year-old man who is currently fighting for his life. The other four people were treated for minor injuries.
Police said it was unclear at this time whether the injured were part of a group that fired shots at each other.
Who was arrested in the Louisiana mall shooting?
Police announced that 17-year-old Markelle Lee was arrested on charges of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder and weapons charges.
Morse previously told reporters that a total of five people were in custody and being questioned in connection with the shooting. On April 24, he said the remaining four people were considered persons of interest.
Morse also shared a photo of another suspect police are searching for.
Natalie Neisa Alland is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund.
