Baton Rouge Police officers have arrested a 17-year-old and searching for a second suspect in Thursday’s fatal shooting at the Mall of Louisiana that claimed the life of a 17-year-old girl and wounded five others. Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse says the individual in police custody is 17-year-old Markell Lee.
“Markell is being arrested for first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon,” Morse explained.
Morse says four other people who were detained shortly after the shooting have been released. He says they are confident Lee was one of the shooters.
“Our detectives worked throughout the night, drafting an arrest warrant for Lee’s arrest and executing a search warrant at his known residence,” Morse said.
Morse says Lee has an extensive criminal history in the juvenile court system. Police have released an image of the second person they are looking for in the hopes the public can help identify that person.
The 17-year-old girl who was fatally shot has been identified as Martha Odom. She attended Ascension Episcopal High School in Youngsville. Odom loved ballet, writing and Dr. Pepper. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore grieves for her family.
“I cannot imagine this family picking up their lovely child and bringing them home,” Moore said.