A shooting occurred at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on Thursday afternoon, involving two groups exchanging gunfire in the food court, according to police. The shooting began shortly after 1:20 pm, and officers received calls at about 1:22 pm reporting gunfire, authorities said. Police Chief TJ Morse said two groups argued inside the food court and started shooting at each other, and that there were innocent people in the area who might have also caught some rounds.
One person was killed: 17-year-old Martha Odom, a senior at Ascension Episcopal School, according to authorities and the coroner's office. At least five people were injured, major media sources reported, though police later stated that at least 10 people were injured and transported to hospitals. Two people are in critical condition, the Baton Rouge Police Department said, including Donnie Guillory, according to multiple reports. Two of Martha Odom's classmates were hit and are recovering, major media sources reported.
Police arrested 17-year-old Markel Lee and charged him with first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and illegal use of a weapon, Chief Morse said. Authorities are searching for additional suspects and released an image of a suspect, police said. At least some of those responsible fled the scene, according to research sources. Chief Morse appealed to witnesses to provide any video of the shooting.
Multiple agencies responded including the FBI, SWAT, the Sheriff's Office, state troopers, and the ATF, authorities said. Governor Jeff Landry urged residents to avoid the area and said he was coordinating with law enforcement. Attorney General Liz Murrill stated she was monitoring the situation. Baton Rouge Mayor Sid Edwards said, 'To the thugs that did this, we're going to catch you.' Chief Morse said, 'Right now there is no known threat to the public. Right here is the safest place in Baton Rouge.' Governor Landry thanked law enforcement for the swift response.
To the thugs that did this, we’re going to catch you.
Witnesses described scenes of confusion and horror, with officers carrying children to safety, according to witnesses. A mall employee initially mistook gunfire for fireworks and saw victims collapse, a mall employee said. Kennedy Barnum, 22, said she heard a woman on the phone say, 'I'll call you back. There's an active shooter in the mall.' Within five minutes, law enforcement had swarmed the mall, Barnum said. She saw people running and crying, including one girl she described as 'hysterical.' A security guard told Barnum there was an active shooter, people were shot and injured, and they should leave immediately, according to Barnum quoting the security guard.
Martha Odom was a writer, dancer, student leader, and captain of her soccer team, according to multiple reports. She was weeks away from graduation and planned to attend Sewanee: The University of the South, major media sources reported. A prayer service was held for Martha Odom at her school, according to multiple reports.
This incident follows another shooting earlier this week in Shreveport where eight children were killed, police said. A father fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own, in an attack on his family Sunday morning that stretched across two houses in a Shreveport neighborhood, police said. Two women, including the gunman's wife who was the mother of their children, were critically wounded in the Shreveport attack, police said. This is at least the second high-profile case of gun violence in Louisiana that week, according to research sources.
Several details remain unclear. The motive for the altercation between the two groups has not been determined. The total number of suspects and whether all have been identified is unknown. The current condition of all injured victims has not been fully disclosed. It is also unclear whether the arrested suspect, Markel Lee, was involved in the initial altercation or was a bystander. Additionally, it is not known if any mall security or police were present before the first call.