An offensive lineman for Southern University died from a gunshot wound to the head early Friday morning in front of the Varsity Theater on Highland Road.
Baton Rouge Police Cpl. Don Kelly said James Allen, a 23-year-old criminal justice 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.
Despite the incident happening so close to campus and at such a popular hang out, students did not seem fazed.
It was evident from the large crowd that gathered for Galactic that people were not going to shy away from the club.
The lines of ticket holders waiting to get in only grew as show time neared, proving that the people either were not afraid or did not know about the killing from the night before.
Varsity patrons said they are not afraid to go after the shooting because they feel the argument was a personal matter.
While waiting for the show, Keller Williams was shocked to find out about the shooting, but said he was not worried because he considers the people at the show Friday to be friendly and easygoing.      
Brian Pavlich, also waiting for Galactic, said he still felt safe at the Varsity despite speculation that a gun was brought inside the club.
“That just happened to happen here,” Pavlich said. “Everyone just figures it was a personal deal.”
Markelle Palombo, a political science sophomore, said the incident could have happened anywhere.
“This could have happened regardless of where you are, whether you’re at the Varsity or the Element,” Palombo said. “There’s only so much you can do.”
The Varsity would not comment on the matter or on whether they were taking additional security precautions in light of the shooting.
“We are not saying anything because this is an ongoing investigation,” said Trente Graves, Varsity manager.
Cpl. 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.
Allen collapsed after being shot and the killer escaped. Allen died at 1:50 a.m.
“Right now we’re following several leads, and 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.
According to Southern Digest, Southern University’s newspaper, no funeral services have been announced.
However, the Jaguar Athletic Group will provide buses to transport the football team to New Orleans to attend the services.