1 child dead, 2 injured in Swan Avenue shooting, family says
“It was a targeted attack,” says BRPD Chief
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The family of three children shot on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 27, says one child has died and two others are in the hospital after multiple gunshots were fired on their car.
Several Baton Rouge Police Department units and ambulances responded to the shooting that occurred around 2 p.m. in the 1000 block of Swan Avenue, off Scenic Highway.
According to police, a Honda Accord was sprayed with bullets, causing the woman driving to crash into a tree in front of a barbershop.
The barbershop owner, John Willis III, said everyone scattered as the gunfire rang out.
“You could still hear the shots though. Kids screaming, hollering. People running around with blood on them. It all happened so fast too,” said Willis.
Police say the woman, a pregnant mother, was uninjured, but her three children who were also in the car were all hit by the bullets.
All three boys were taken to the hospital, one with critical injuries and two with serious injuries. Family members confirmed to 9News that the oldest, a seven-year-old, has died. The ages of the other two children have not been released. According to the family, though, another one of the boys is awaiting surgery.
BRPD Chief TJ Morse called it “a targeted attack.”
“I hope that people are as mad as I am,” said Chief Morse. “There’s 20 or 30 shell casings in the street. This car was hit about that many times, but it’s not worth it.”
Further investigation discovered about 60 shell casings in total.
Willis says moments before the chaos, his daughter asked if she and her friends could play outside.
“I said, no because y’all don’t have any adult supervision out here. Good thing they didn’t go outside. That’s how close to home it hit,” Willis said.
The investigation is ongoing.
Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome released the following statement in response to the shooting:
“Our hearts are broken by the news that three young children were shot today during a targeted shooting on Swan Avenue in Scotlandville. We understand that all three children were transported to a local hospital, and we are joining our hearts together as a community and praying for each of these young people and their families. There are no words to express how much pain the choice of some adults to engage in this violence that injured innocent children has brought these children’s family members, their young friends, classmates and teachers, and our entire community. You each remain in our prayers continually.
Our Baton Rouge Police Department is working every lead in this case diligently, and we will not rest until any perpetrators of this violence are brought to justice. We need your help as a community to share any information you believe may be helpful in solving this case. Certainly, we all want to see a safe holiday season that allows us to celebrate and not to mourn. And as a community we join our hearts together in that earnest prayer at this time.”
Superintendent LaMont Cole with the East Baton Rouge Parish School System also released a statement:
“Today, we are heartbroken and devastated to report that three of our beloved students were shot in a horrific act of violence. Tragically, one of these children has lost their life. We extend our prayers and deepest condolences to the families and friends affected by this senseless act. As a community, we must come together to address and combat the violence that continues to threaten our youth.
Every child deserves to feel safe and secure, not just in their schools but in their neighborhoods as well. It is imperative that we work collaboratively to end this cycle of violence, particularly when it involves our children. On behalf of the board and the entire EBR Schools family, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those impacted by this tragedy. We will continue to provide support to our students and staff during this difficult time and urge everyone to stand together for peace and safety in our community."
If you know anything that can help police, you’re urged to call Crime Stoppers at 344-STOP (7867)
This is a developing story.
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