Suspected killer wanted in connection with another shooting arrested on attempted murder charge

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The Baton Rouge Police Department has arrested a wanted fugitive.

Detectives said Luke Simmons, 39, is now in custody.

He was arrested on charges of attempted second-degree murder, illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, and aggravated criminal damage to property.

Investigators said Simmons is suspected in a shooting on N. 19th Street on Aug. 25 that injured one person. They added the victim’s injuries did not appear life-threatening.

RELATED: Suspect arrested in deadly shooting on Spanish Town Road

Police added Simmons was out on bond after being arrested in connection with a shooting on Spanish Town Road on Dec. 3, 2021, that resulted in the death of Lance Robertson.

According to online records, Judge Eboni Johnson Rose granted Simmons a $115,000 bond in his 2021 murder arrest. In February 2022, just two months after his arrest, Simmons managed to post bail and was back on the street.

His criminal history outlines a list of other violent offenses, including a first-degree murder charge in 2006 and domestic abuse battery in 2019.

WAFB tried to reach Judge Rose to find out why that amount was set, and why he was allowed to get out.

Rose’s Staff Attorney Michaela Lewis responded to our request with an email saying in part, “Unfortunately, this office does not respond to Media requests on matters pending before the Court.”

BRPD Chief Murphy Paul says repeat offenders who are arrested and set free because of little or no bonds are a part of the city’s crime problem.

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