Since the beginning of the fall semester, various crimes have occurred throughout the Baton Rouge area, including sexual accusations at the University and deaths in the Tigerland area.
In October, a restraining order was issued against Marc Boudreaux, an employee at the University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, after a graduate student accused him of burglary, harassment and extensive sexual abuse. Elizabeth Lum, animal science graduate student, petitioned for her protection.
During a trial where Lum sought more protection, the judge deemed that Lum did not have enough evidence to accuse Boudreaux or to gain more protection.
Lum said Boudreaux demanded she move into his residence, forcing her to engage in numerous sexual acts with him and the woman also living with him. She said Boudreaux would also send her sexually explicit text messages.
The petition cited physical abuse, stating Boudreaux would shove her down steps, spit on her and blow his nose on her. She said he also forced her to cook and clean for him.
The order also cites additional abuse including Boudreaux forcing Lum to move the other woman into an apartment without help and write the woman’s scholarship application essays.
After these harassment allegations surfaced, Stacy Parker, a former student worker at the Vet School, told The Daily Reveille in October that Boudreaux would also sexually harass her in his office.
The complaints of Boudreaux’s sexual abuse and harassment led to his job termination and multiple court hearings during the fall semester. Boudreaux’s attorney, Jill Craft, told The Daily Reveille on Nov. 9 that Boudreaux received notification of his termination from the University that day.
At the beginning of the spring semester, The Daily Reveille reported the murder rate had slightly decreased from previous years. With 64 murders in 2011, a 7 percent decrease from 2010, crime seemed to be on decline.
In March, Gunnar Williamson, a 22-year-old Baton Rouge resident, was found lying on the road near Tigerland on March 8.
At approximately 2:15 a.m., Baton Rouge Police Department officers responded to an unresponsive white male found on the 1300 block of Bob Pettit Boulevard. BRPD spokesman Sgt. Don Kelly said he did not appear to have any visible major traumatic injuries, but was unresponsive at the time.
Williamson died at a local hospital on March 10. Following his death, the results of Williamson’s autopsy performed March 12 were inconclusive, according to Kelly.
A similar incident occurred on March 2, when a local musician, Chris Dibenedetto, was attacked by a group of men and robbed while driving home from a show at Chelsea’s Cafe. An image of Dibenedetto’s injuries went viral on Facebook, sparking serious concerns about safety surrounding campus.
Kelly said there have always been incidents in and around Tigerland. Although BRPD officers are on duty in Tigerland in the evening, Kelly said it is important for students to be aware of their surroundings to better protect themselves.
“By not getting overly intoxicated, walking in groups, staying in well-lit areas and reporting crimes to the officials, students can better protect themselves,” Kelly said in an e-mail.
More recently, BRPD officers found 29-year-old Brandon Harris dead in a driveway at 1400 Sharlo Ave. on April 15.
At 2:37 a.m., officers responded to the shooting at Sharlo Avenue near Brightside Drive. Cpl. Tommy Stubbs, BRPD public information officer, said the victim, who was from 854 North Acadian East Thruway, was shot multiple times.
Stubbs said homicide detectives were notified of the incident and arrived shortly after to take over the investigation. He said there isn’t a known motive at this time.
On April 20, BRPD detectives investigated another shooting just off campus near 2000 Brightside Drive.
Stubbs said the victim was attacked by three suspects while carrying his groceries back to his apartment in Tigerland. The victim retrieved his firearm while being attacked and fired two shots in self-defense, striking one of the suspects in the leg.
The victim fled the scene and contacted police. Stubbs said detectives learned the victim had a valid concealed carry permit for the weapon used in defense.
Stubbs said the injured suspect later showed up at a local hospital for treatment, where he was contacted by detectives. After interviewing the suspect, detectives decided to issue a misdemeanor summons to him for simple battery upon his release from the hospital.
Despite the recent incidents, kinesiology sophomore Baldomero Garza said he still feels safe living on Brightside Drive.
“I don’t usually venture out to places that are unfamiliar to me,” Garza said. “When I do, I am usually with a lot of people.”
Garza said students shouldn’t be afraid to live there, and as long as the proper safety precautions are taken, students shouldn’t fret.
Kelly said students should always be mindful of their safety.
“Students are not immune to being victimized,” Kelly said in an e-mail. “They need to minimize their risk.”
 
____ Contact Lauren Duhon at [email protected]