Neighbors shocked by armed robbery of nearby business

In Baton Rouge, a local coffee shop owner was shot in the shoulder early Thursday morning as he opened his shop on Coursey Boulevard. The incident, which occurred during an attempted armed robbery, has shocked residents and put the community on edge. Despite the area s reputation for safety and frequent police patrols, this is an uncommon occurrence. Jenna Lemmon, a resident living directly behind the business, expressed her discomfort and concern for the safety of the neighborhood. Willy Reaux, another local resident, acknowledged the occasional thefts but emphasized that this level of violence was unprecedented. Crime statistics from Baton Rouge Police District 3, Zone F2, show an increase in robberies and attempted murders over the past few years. In 2019, there were only four robberies, but the numbers rose to 13 in 2021 and 12 in 2022. Attempted murder investigations also saw a rise, with eight cases in 2022 compared to just one in 2019. The police collected surveillance video from nearby businesses in hopes of identifying the suspect. The victim s wife, who operates the coffee shop with her husband, confirmed that he is recovering but will require surgery. This incident has left the community questioning the safety of their neighborhood, despite the presence of police patrols. The hope is that the authorities will be able to quickly solve the case and restore a sense of security to the area.

Source: wbrz.com
Published on 2024-09-20