Mall Shooting: Teen Charged, Victim Remembered

On April 25, a shooting at the mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge left one 17-year-old girl dead and five others hurt as bystanders got caught in the crossfire.

Police charged a 17-year-old with first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder after he turned himself in and they're still hunting for another suspect.

This wasn't random. It stemmed from social media beaves that might tie into gang activity.

Two groups showed up at the mall, traded words, then pulled guns, hitting innocent shoppers in the food court.

Police chief TJ Morris praised two officers on site who rushed toward the gunfire and helped save lives.

Governor Jeff Landry joined the chief at a news conference, vowing a full crackdown with state, local and federal help, including targeted warrant.

Sweeps in the suspect's neighborhoods. The victim was Martha Odom, a high school senior from Lafayette visiting friends on her senior skip day.

Two other students from her school, Ascension Episcopal, were among the injured. She was remembered as a joyful, kind soul.

Meanwhile, this marks the second major gun violence case in Louisiana this week after a father in Shreveport killed eight kids.

Officials are doubling down to keep public spots safe from these battles.

National News, powered by AI. This is US News Today.

I'm Corey with The Story.