(The Center Square) − Baton Rouge and state leaders on Friday promised an aggressive law enforcement response after a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana left a 17-year-old girl dead and several others wounded.
Speaking at a press conference alongside local and state officials, First-term Republican Gov. Jeff Landry said the shooting appeared tied to the kind of neighborhood and gang-related disputes that have increasingly spilled into public places, endangering innocent people.
“I want to be absolutely clear, this conduct is not going to be tolerated in this state,” Landry said.
He said the state would work with local, state and federal partners to prepare a “targeted warrant sweep” focused on people tied to the shooting and others with outstanding warrants connected to that activity.
Landry also used the moment to criticize what he described as weak sentencing and judicial leniency. He said public safety requires not only arrests, but harsher punishment for repeat violent offenders. He said Louisiana would not allow neighborhood gangs to “terrorize our communities or go into public spaces and injure or kill innocent people.”
Mayor Sid Edwards opened the press conference by mourning 17-year-old Martha Odom of Lafayette, quoting a Bible verse she had shared on social media shortly before her death: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”
Edwards called the shooting a “senseless act of violence” and said Baton Rouge saw both its worst and best in the aftermath, as officers, deputies and first responders rushed toward gunfire and helped evacuate the mall.
Edwards said officials are working with the Mall of Louisiana to dedicate resources to protect patrons and said his office is coordinating with local partners to provide counseling and mental health support for victims and families. He also pointed to recent investments in law enforcement, including what he described as the largest pay raise in Baton Rouge Police Department history, while warning that those involved in gang activity would be arrested and jailed.
State Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, said the community was “broken hearted” and urged residents not to live in fear. Edmonds said he had spoken with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Landry to seek additional federal and state support, including task force assistance, to confront gang violence in Baton Rouge. He said the city was unified and warned those responsible that they had “no idea what’s coming your way.”
Police Chief T.J. Morse said the shooting began at 1:22 p.m. Thursday near the mall food court. A Baton Rouge police officer and an East Baton Rouge sheriff’s deputy assigned to the area immediately ran toward the gunfire. He said the rapid response by law enforcement and medical personnel helped secure the scene and likely saved lives.
Morse identified Odom as the person killed and said Donnie Guillory, 43, remained hospitalized in critical condition while undergoing surgery. He announced the arrest of Markel Lee on charges of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon.
Morse said Lee turned himself in Friday after detectives worked overnight to secure arrest and search warrants.
Investigators are still seeking another suspect whose photo was released publicly, and Morse urged anyone with information to contact Baton Rouge police or Crime Stoppers. He said others initially detained after the shooting had been released pending further investigation, and cautioned that the case remains in its early stages.
Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said deputies were already in and around the mall area when the shooting broke out, including one deputy working at Dick’s Sporting Goods across from the food court. He said deputies, officers, mall employees and even civilians immediately began helping victims and evacuating the area. Gautreaux said the sheriff’s office deployed patrol deputies, SWAT, gang intelligence officers, air support and drones, and continues to work alongside Baton Rouge police and other agencies until the case is solved.
District Attorney Hillar Moore offered condolences to Odom’s family and the other victims, and praised investigators who worked through the night gathering evidence and preparing search warrants. He said the case would take time to build and urged patience as detectives work toward proof “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Moore also said Baton Rouge’s broader violence problem is tied to juvenile crime, truancy, education and gang or group involvement, and argued for a unified violence-reduction strategy to prevent future tragedies.
