BATON ROUGE — A man was killed Wednesday night in a shooting at a hotel off South Sherwood Forest Boulevard, marking another deadly incident under investigation by local authorities. Police were called to the Eagle Suites hotel, located at the corner of Boardwalk Drive and South Sherwood Forest Boulevard, after reports of gunfire inside the property.
The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Kevin White Jr., 36. According to officials, the shooting occurred around 8:10 p.m. Emergency responders arrived quickly and found White suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene or shortly thereafter, authorities confirmed.
Details surrounding what led up to the shooting remain limited. Investigators have not yet said where inside the hotel the incident occurred or whether White was a guest at the Eagle Suites. Police have also not released information about a possible suspect or whether anyone has been taken into custody in connection with the killing.
Witnesses in the area reported a heavy police presence at the hotel Wednesday night as officers secured the scene and began gathering evidence. Crime scene tape surrounded portions of the property while detectives canvassed the area, speaking with hotel guests and nearby residents in an effort to piece together what happened.
The shooting has raised concerns among people who live and work nearby, as the hotel sits along a busy stretch of South Sherwood Forest Boulevard. Neighbors described hearing sirens and seeing emergency vehicles rush to the scene. Some said they were shaken by the violence and worried about safety in the area, especially during evening hours.
Baton Rouge police say the investigation is ongoing and that more information will be released as it becomes available. Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has information that could help identify those involved to contact police. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers. As detectives continue their work, the death of Kevin White Jr. adds to the growing toll of gun violence in the city, leaving family members and loved ones mourning another life lost too soon.
