A shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge on 23 April left 10 people injured after what police said began as an argument between two groups near the food court, turning a busy afternoon of shopping into a fast-moving crime scene. The gunfire sent crowds scrambling for safety, drew a major emergency response and left police searching for suspects who fled before officers could make arrests.
Mayor-President Sid Edwards said all 10 victims were taken to local hospitals, while Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse said investigators believe the shooting was targeted rather than random. Authorities added that there was no known wider threat to the public, even as the people believed to be involved remained at large through the afternoon.
