BATON ROUGE — Authorities are investigating after two people were shot early Thursday morning near downtown Baton Rouge. Police say the victims were found inside a car that had been struck by gunfire near a McDonald’s on Government Street.
According to officials, the shooting happened around 12:24 a.m. in the 2200 block of Government Street, just east of the city’s downtown corridor. Officers responding to reports of shots fired located a vehicle with visible bullet damage and discovered two occupants suffering from gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical personnel quickly arrived at the scene, and both victims were transported to a local hospital in serious condition. Their identities have not yet been released, and investigators have not provided an update on their current status.
Investigation Underway
At this stage, details remain limited. Detectives with the Baton Rouge Police Department are reviewing the scene, speaking with potential witnesses, and working to determine what led to the shooting. It is not clear whether the victims were targeted or if the shooting was the result of a random act of violence.
The area around the McDonald’s was temporarily blocked off as officers collected evidence, including shell casings and surveillance footage from nearby businesses. Investigators say this information will be crucial in identifying the suspect or suspects responsible.
Community Impact
The early-morning violence has raised concerns among residents and business owners in the area, as Government Street is a busy thoroughfare that connects several neighborhoods to downtown Baton Rouge.
“It’s unsettling to hear something like this happened right here,” one resident said. “This is a place where people come late at night for food or to head home, and to know that people were shot in their car makes you think twice about your own safety.”
Police Request for Information
The Baton Rouge Police Department is urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Tips can be submitted directly to BRPD or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-STOP (7867).
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and more details will be released as they become available.
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