BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Governor Jeff Landry joined State Police and the Baton Rouge PD to update the general public on the Mall of Louisiana shooting.
Police Chief TJ Morse introduced Friday that one individual has been arrested, and a second suspect is needed.
According to the chief, Markel Lee, 17, is dealing with expenses for first-degree homicide, 5 counts of tried first-degree homicide, and one depend of unlawful use of a weapon. He turned himself in and was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
Chief Morse mentioned Lee has an in depth historical past within the juvenile court docket system.
Police launched a photograph of the needed individual they’re making an attempt to determine.
The different folks detained on Thursday had been launched, however police say they could face expenses at a later time.
Chief Morse confirmed they had been individuals of curiosity, however mentioned they refused to reply questions, lawyered up, and police don’t at present have sufficient to carry them on.
“We know that this was not a random incident. We know that this was two groups of people that met up at the mall, exchanged words, and then pulled guns, and innocent people were hit,” mentioned Morse, including that it began as a “social media beef.”
He mentioned that is too early to know if this incident has any ties to gang-related exercise.
Officials additionally gave an update on the shooting victims.
Martha Odom, 17, of Lafayette, was recognized as {the teenager} killed within the shooting.
Officials mentioned one of many victims stays in important situation.
Mass shooting at Mall of Louisiana
In response to the violence, Gov. Jeff Landry mentioned he’s asking legislators for a full overview of sentencing legal guidelines, and judges who constantly launch offenders again on the streets are going to be held accountable.
The governor mentioned he’s additionally asking authorities to organize for a focused warrant sweep targeted on people within the neighborhoods the place the suspects are from and anybody related to this incident.
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