A mass shooting erupted at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on Thursday, leaving a 17-year-old high school senior dead and at least 10 others injured, according to officials. Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse said two groups exchanged gunfire in the food court, sparking chaos and panic among shoppers. The deceased was identified by officials as Martha Odom, a 17-year-old student at a local high school. Police reported that at least 10 people were injured and transported to hospitals, with two in critical condition, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department via WAFB. The shooting prompted a swift response from law enforcement, who swarmed the mall within minutes, as described by witness Kennedy Barnum.
The suspect, Markel Lee, 17, was arrested after his grandmother identified him from surveillance footage and he surrendered to police, according to a police affidavit. Lee faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and illegal use of weapons, police said. Jail records show he is being held without bail. The arrest came after authorities initially reported that no one was in custody, reflecting the fast-moving nature of the investigation.
Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the number of shooters and injuries. While officials initially stated that five others were injured, totaling six including the deceased, police later confirmed at least 10 people were injured and transported to hospitals. This discrepancy may be due to the evolving nature of the incident. Additionally, authorities initially said they were searching for up to two shooters, according to multiple media reports. However, with the arrest of Markel Lee, it remains unclear whether additional suspects are still at large or if the initial report was inaccurate. Police Chief Morse said, "Right now there is no known threat to the public. Right here is the safest place in Baton Rouge."
To the thugs that did this, we’re going to catch you.
Official responses came from state and local leaders. Governor Jeff Landry urged residents to avoid the area and said he was coordinating with law enforcement. He also thanked law enforcement for the swift response. Attorney General Liz Murrill said she was monitoring the situation. Mayor Sid Edwards addressed the perpetrators directly, saying, "To the thugs that did this, we're going to catch you." Police Chief Morse appealed to witnesses to provide any video of the shooting and described the scene: "Unfortunately there were some innocent people in the area who might have also caught some rounds."
Witness Kennedy Barnum, 22, recounted the terrifying moments. According to www.sootoday.com, she heard a woman on the phone outside say, "I'll call you back. There's an active shooter in the mall." Within five minutes, law enforcement had swarmed the mall. Barnum saw people running and crying, including one girl she described as "hysterical." She said a security guard told her there was an active shooter, people were shot and injured, and they should leave immediately.
The shooting at the Mall of Louisiana follows another mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, earlier in the week. In that incident, a father fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own, in an attack that stretched across two houses in a Shreveport neighborhood, according to research sources. Two women, including the gunman's wife who was the mother of their children, were critically wounded. The back-to-back shootings have raised concerns about public safety and gun violence in the state.
Several questions remain unanswered. The motive for the argument between the two groups in the food court has not been disclosed. It is unclear whether Markel Lee acted alone or if other suspects are still at large. The exact number of injured and their current conditions have not been fully confirmed, as hospitals have not released updated information. Additionally, details on how the grandmother identified Lee from surveillance footage and what security measures were in place at the mall have not been provided. The investigation is ongoing, with the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisting local authorities.