Baton Rouge Police Department detectives are investigating an April 20 shooting just off campus near 2000 Brightside Drive.
Police have identified a suspect who will be charged with simple battery, but BRPD spokesman Cpl. Tommy Stubbs said the suspect’s name won’t be released until he leaves the hospital where he is recovering from the incident.
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 the injured suspect later showed up at a local hospital for treatment, where he was contacted by detectives.
Stubbs said detectives learned the victim had a valid concealed carry permit for the weapon used in defense. After interviewing the suspect, detectives decided to issue a misdemeanor summons to him for simple battery upon his release from the hospital.
No further charges have been filed against the victim, and the case is still under investigation.
Another shooting occurred recently on Sharlo Avenue near Brightside Drive on April 15, when 29-year-old Brandon Harris was shot and killed in a driveway. No suspects have been identified in the case.
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.
“I’m not worried enough to lose sleep at night,” Garza said.
 
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Contact Lauren Duhon at [email protected]