BATON ROUGE, LA — A 19-year-old man was gunned down Wednesday afternoon following a violent confrontation in a Rosenwald Road parking lot, marking another tragic loss in the city’s ongoing struggle with gun violence. Jayqon Bethley succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds after driving himself to a nearby hospital in a final act of desperation following the attack.
The Baton Rouge Police Department reported the shooting occurred around noon when Bethley became embroiled in an argument with two unidentified individuals. As the teen and a passenger attempted to leave the scene in their vehicle, one assailant opened fire, piercing the car with several rounds. Remarkably, Bethley maintained control of the vehicle long enough to reach medical help before ultimately losing his life.
“This wasn’t random – we believe the victim knew his attackers,” said BRPD spokesman Sgt. L’Jean McKneely during a somber press briefing. Detectives are scouring surveillance footage from nearby businesses and interviewing potential witnesses to identify the shooters.
Friends and family gathered at the shooting scene Wednesday evening, creating a makeshift memorial of candles and flowers to honor Bethley. Described as an aspiring musician with a contagious smile, the recent high school graduate had just secured employment at a local warehouse. “He was turning his life around,” wept his cousin, DeShawn Thompson. “Now we’re planning a funeral instead of celebrating his future.”
Community activists are demanding action as the investigation continues. Local organization Stop the Violence Baton Rouge announced plans for a peace march this weekend, while city council members are pushing for increased police patrols in high-crime areas. “We cannot normalize these tragedies,” said community leader Rev. Percy Johnson during a Wednesday night vigil.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the BRPD Violent Crimes Unit at 225-389-4869 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest as detectives work to bring justice for Bethley’s grieving family.
