An offensive lineman for Southern University died from a gunshot wound to the head early Friday in front of the Varsity Theater on Highland Road.
Baton Rouge Police Cpl. Don Kelly said James Allen, a 23-year-old sophomore, and several other people were involved in an argument inside the theater, and bouncers escorted the group outside after trying to break them up.
The argument escalated once the group moved outside and someone pulled out a gun and shot Allen in the head.
He collapsed and died, and the killer escaped.
Kelly said the police have no way of knowing right now if the shooter was inside or outside the theater when the fight started. They also do not know whether the shooter brought the gun inside the Varsity.
“Right now we’re following several leads, and the detectives are hard at work,” Kelly said.
He said he is confident there will be an arrest because many people may know the shooter. Police are interviewing any witnesses they can find.
Southern University head football coach Pete Richardson said he can not speculate on the killing until the investigation is over but sends his condolences to Allen’s family.
“He’s going to be sadly and surely missed as a part of Southern’s athletic family,” Richardson said.