Family says 1 child dead, 2 injured in shooting on Swan Avenue

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – The family of three children shot Wednesday afternoon, November 27, say one child has died and two others are in the hospital after multiple shots were fired into their car.

Several Baton Rouge police departments and ambulances responded to the shooting, which occurred around 2 p.m. in the 1000 block of Swan Avenue, near Scenic Highway.

According to the police, a Honda Accord was sprayed with bullets, causing the woman driving to hit a tree in front of a hairdressing salon.

Barbershop owner John Willis III said everyone ran away when shots rang out.

“However, gunshots were still heard. The children are screaming and shouting. People running around with blood on them. It all happened so quickly,” Willis said.

Police say the woman, a pregnant mother, was unharmed, but her three children, who were also in the car, were hit by bullets.

All three boys were taken to hospital, one with critical injuries and two with serious injuries. Family members confirmed to 9News that the oldest, a seven-year-old, died. The ages of the other two children have not been revealed. According to the family, another boy is awaiting surgery.

BRPD Chief TJ Morse called it a “targeted attack.”

“I hope people are as crazy as I am,” Chief Morse said. “There are 20 or 30 shell casings in the street. This car has been hit so many times, but it’s not worth it.

Further examination revealed a total of approximately 60 shell casings.

Willis says moments before the chaos, his daughter asked if she and her friends could play outside.

“I said no because you don’t have any adult supervision here. Good thing they didn’t go outside. So close to the mark,” Willis said.

The investigation is ongoing.

In response to the shooting, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome released the following statement:

“Our hearts are broken by the news that three young children were shot today in a shooting on Swan Avenue in Scotlandville. We understand that all three children were taken to a local hospital, so we join our hearts as a community and pray for each of these young people and their families. There are no words to express how much pain the decision of some adults to engage in violence that hurt innocent children has caused to those children’s family members, their young friends, classmates and teachers, and our entire community. Each of you remains constantly in our prayers.

Our Baton Rouge Police Department is diligently working on every lead in this case and we will not rest until the perpetrators of this violence are held accountable. We need your help as a community to share any information you think may be helpful in solving this case. We certainly all want a safe holiday where we can celebrate, not cry. As a community, we join our hearts in this fervent prayer at this time.”

Swan Avenue shooting investigation.(WAFB)

Superintendent LaMont Cole of 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 have been shot dead in a terrible act of violence. Unfortunately, one of these children lost his 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, not only at their school, but also in their neighborhood. It is essential that we work together to end this cycle of violence, especially when it affects 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 affected by this tragedy. We will continue to provide support to our students and staff during this difficult time and urge everyone to unite for peace and safety in our community.”

If you know anything that could help police, contact Crime Stoppers at: 344-STOP (7867)

This is a developing story.

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