W. Va. State Police: La. murder suspect ‘appears to have committed suicide’

UPDATE

MERCER COUNTY, W. Va. (WAFB) - West Virginia State Police said a man suspected of murder in Louisiana was killed during an exchange of gunfire with a trooper on Friday, Dec. 2, but officials now say he “appears to have committed suicide.”

The Baton Rouge Police Department said Napoleon Crane, 29, is accused of shooting and killing Da’Ja Davis, 28, in Baton Rouge on Thursday, Dec. 1.

Crane was involved in a shootout with West Virginia State Police in Mercer County, W. Va., officials confirmed. Crane’s six-month-old baby, who was in the car with him at the time of the shooting, was not injured, officials added.

West Virginia State Police said troopers were notified by Louisiana law enforcement authorities around 9:30 a.m. about a suspect wanted for murder and child abduction and an AMBER Alert was issued.

WVSP said investigators began tracking Crane, who was found off exit 20 of I-77 South in Mercer County. Troopers said the suspect grabbed a gun and fired it when they approached the stolen vehicle. Officials said a trooper returned fire and Crane was pronounced dead at the scene.

WVSP said the baby was found unharmed in the back seat of the stolen vehicle and no troopers were injured in the shootout.

Investigators said Crane was Davis’ apparent boyfriend. An arrest warrant was issued for him Thursday evening, they added.

Davis’ family has set up a gofundme to raise money for her funeral.

RELATED: Reports of large police presence off I-77

ORIGINAL

The victim of a deadly shooting in Baton Rouge on Thursday, Dec. 1, was identified on Friday, Dec. 2, as Da’Ja Davis, 28, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department.

BRPD said the shooting happened on Shelley Street near Scenic Highway around 3 p.m.

Davis was found dead in the passenger seat of a car, officials said. They added she had been shot multiple times.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to contact the Violent Crimes Unit at (225) 389-4869 or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.

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