Victim of fatal Poplar Street shooting identified as 15-year-old, officials say BY ELLYN COUVILLION | Staff writer 31 mins ago The victim of a fatal shooting in Baton Rouge on Wednesday has been identified as Suhib Yousef, who was 15 years old, the East Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office said.
How Baton Rouge police made an arrest 39 years after a jingle writer was found dead in his hotel room BY OLIVIA TEES | Staff writer 15 hrs ago Almost 40 years after a commercial jingle writer was found dead in a Baton Rouge hotel room, police have arrested a man based on DNA taken from a rope used to find the victim’s hands.
DNA from rope leads to arrest of man in 1987 cold-case killing in a Baton Rouge hotel room BY OLIVIA TEES | Staff writer 16 hrs ago The Baton Rouge Police Department has made an arrest in a 1987 cold case, after DNA evidence found on the cord used to bind the victim’s hands led them to a suspect in Alabama.
Man dies after shooting off Perkins Road, Baton Rouge police say BY ELLYN COUVILLION | Staff writer 20 hrs ago Baton Rouge Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a man Wednesday night in the 4400 block of Poplar Street.
Baton Rouge man arrested for murder after 5-year-old dies from abuse inflicted in 2022 BY ELLYN COUVILLION | Staff writer 20 hrs ago A man was arrested on a count of murder after a five-year-old boy died this month from injuries he received four years ago, Baton Rouge Police say.
Baton Rouge man accused of setting A/C unit on fire with someone inside home, officials say BY ELLYN COUVILLION | Staff writer Jun 25, 2026 A man was arrested this week, accused of setting a home’s outdoor air conditioning unit on fire while someone was in the house, the Baton Rouge Fire Department said.
+3 Central Pastor Tony Spell defends attacking his neighbor, saying he had to ‘protect his sheep’ BY OLIVIA TEES | Staff writer Jun 24, 2026 The Rev. Tony Spell stood on the steps of his church in Central on Wednesday — a day after being arrested for allegedly beating up his neighbor’s 20-year-old son — and defended his actions, co…
Former LSU football player identified as driver in fatal Baton Rouge crash, police say BY ELLYN COUVILLION | Staff writer Jun 24, 2026 The driver who ran a red light in downtown Baton Rouge earlier this month, causing a crash that killed two elderly people, is former LSU football player Richard Murphy, police said Wednesday.
+7 St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith pleads guilty to battery, resigns from post BY WILLIE SWETT | Staff writer Updated Jun 24, 2026 Randy Smith resigned as St. Tammany Parish Sheriff on Wednesday after pleading guilty to violently attacking a man in a Madisonville-area steakhouse, effectively ending his four-decade law-enf…
Rev. Tony Spell arrested for attacking Central neighbor, 20-year-old yelled curses before fight BY OLIVIA TEES | Staff writer Jun 23, 2026 The Rev. Tony Spell, the Central pastor best known for holding church services during the COVID pandemic, was arrested Tuesday for allegedly beating up his neighbor’s 20-year-old son and sendi…
Central pastor Tony Spell arrested for allegedly beating a man Tuesday morning BY OLIVIA TEES | Staff writer Jun 23, 2026 A well-known Central pastor was arrested Tuesday morning by the sheriff’s office after he allegedly beat a 20-year-old man.
+6 Search still ongoing for body of Baton Rouge teen who was allegedly beaten to death BY AVERY WHITE and QUINN COFFMAN | Staff writers Jun 22, 2026 The search for the body of a missing Baton Rouge teen continues weeks after his disappearance, as volunteer groups scour thousands of acres for answers.
One person injured in Sunday dawn shooting in Port Allen, five arrested BY QUINN COFFMAN | Staff writer Jun 21, 2026 Five people were arrested after a dawn shooting Sunday in Port Allen left one person injured.
21-year-old Geismar man wanted for woman's murder on Saturday BY QUINN COFFMAN | Staff writer Jun 21, 2026 Detectives with the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office are searching for a 21-year-old man accused of fatally shooting a woman at a Geismar residence on Kerry Road.
Teen was beaten to death in fight with suspect, who then hid evidence, Baton Rouge police say Staff report Jun 20, 2026 Maurice Parms beat 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather to death during an altercation and then went to great lengths to hide the evidence, according to Baton Rouge Police Department documents.
+5 51-year-old Baton Rouge man arrested as police suspect missing teen is dead BY CHARLES LUSSIER | Staff writer Updated Jun 20, 2026 A 51-year-old Baton Rouge man was arrested on a count of first-degree murder Saturday in connection with the disappearance of 15-year-old Ja’Derrius Minnieweather, who is believed to be dead b…
¶¶Òõh State Police superintendent to retire, governor names successor BY AIDAN MCCAHILL | Staff writer Jun 19, 2026 Hodges has led the agency since 2024, serving about two and a half years as superintendent and more than three decades with State Police. Lt. Col. Frank Besson is expected to succeed him.
Baton Rouge mother wanted by police after toddler found with high level of alcohol in system BY OLIVIA TEES | Staff writer Jun 18, 2026 A Baton Rouge woman is wanted by police after her 14-month-old son was brought to a local hospital last month with a life-threatening level of alcohol in his system.
Man arrested in girlfriend’s killing after lying to investigators, Baton Rouge police say BY OLIVIA TEES | Staff writer Jun 18, 2026 A man who allegedly killed his girlfriend in May in an apartment complex on North Ardenwood Drive was arrested after he lied to investigators several times about happened, according to Baton R…
Victims of Lobdell drive-by shooting were 11 to 17, Baton Rouge Police said BY ELLYN COUVILLION | Staff writer Jun 18, 2026 The five victims injured in a drive-by shooting outside an apartment complex on Wednesday night ranged in age from 11 to 17, a Baton Rouge Police spokesperson said.
+3 New ATV/UTV task force aims to reduce staggering deaths, injuries for young riders in Baton Rouge BY OLIVIA TEES | Staff writer Jun 18, 2026 Safety advocates from across the state have established a new task force to help reduce deaths and injuries among youth using ATV and UTV vehicles by creating new policies and safety courses.
Five injured in drive-by shooting at Baton Rouge apartments Wednesday, police say BY ELLYN COUVILLION | Staff writer Jun 18, 2026 Five people were injured in the driveway of an apartment complex Wednesday night when a vehicle pulled up, and a shooter opened fire on the group, Baton Rouge Police said.
+3 Baton Rouge Police announce cash reward for tips that help find missing teen, ‘son of Baton Rouge’ BY OLIVIA TEES | Staff writer Jun 17, 2026 Baton Rouge Police are offering a $10,000 reward to anyone with information on Ja’Derrius Minnieweather, a 15-year-old boy who has been missing for nearly two weeks.
Man arrested in Baton Rouge, accused off gunning down woman in apartment, police say BY ELLYN COUVILLION | Staff writer Jun 17, 2026 A suspect was arrested Tuesday in the fatal shooting of a woman in a Baton Rouge apartment in May, officials said.
Ex-Gulf Coast blackjack dealer charged in cheating scheme at Biloxi casino, records say BY MARGARET BAKER | SUN HERALD Jun 17, 2026 A former Mississippi Coast blackjack dealer indicted in Harrison County is charged with one count of cheating at gambling, according to records filed in the case.
Tangipahoa Parish deputy placed on leave after inmate briefly escapes custody at courthouse By KASEY BUBNASH | Staff writer Jun 15, 2026 A Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy was placed on administrative leave after a jail inmate briefly escaped custody at the courthouse Monday morning, triggering a 30-minute manhunt.
Teen shot in Baton Rouge Sunday has died in hospital, officials say BY ELLYN COUVILLION | Staff writer Jun 15, 2026 A teenager who was shot and critically injured in Baton Rouge Sunday afternoon died in the hospital from his injuries later that night, the East Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office said.
Former sheriff’s deputy indicted in Livingston Parish on sex crimes involving children, attorney general says BY ELLYN COUVILLION | Staff writer Jun 15, 2026 A former sheriff’s deputy has been indicted by a Livingston Parish grand jury on 12 counts of sex crimes against children, Attorney General Liz Murrill said Monday.