Three vehicles carrying families home from Southern University's homecoming parade were raked with gunfire on Scenic Highway, wounding two men and leaving the Baton Rouge Police Department hunting three suspects on charges that include attempted first-degree murder. Among the passengers riding in those cars were a 12-year-old, a 5-year-old, and an 11-month-old baby.
According to WBRZ, the three vehicles were driving south on Scenic Highway after leaving the parade when gunfire struck and damaged all three cars. Two men suffered non-life-threatening injuries, the station reports. Police say the violence traces back to a threat one of the suspects, Jahiem Johnson, allegedly made to a victim beforehand, telling them, “We're going to do something about you,” before the suspect vehicles fled northbound toward Scenic Highway and the shooting unfolded.
Investigators say Kendrick Keller Jr. was armed with an AR-15 and Jakhireyus Franklin carried a handgun during the confrontation, per the same WBRZ report. Johnson is accused of instigating the incident before shots were fired. Keller and Franklin are both wanted on charges of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated criminal damage to property, and illegal use of weapons or dangerous instrumentalities, while Johnson faces a charge of principal to attempted first-degree murder.
What an Attempted Murder Charge Means Under Louisiana Law
A Louisiana appeals court has addressed sentencing in an attempted first-degree murder case, as described by FindLaw. The case illustrates the serious consequences a conviction can carry.
The shooting happened along what had been a designated exit route from one of North Baton Rouge's largest annual gatherings. The 2026 Southern University Homecoming Parade rolled through Harding Boulevard, Scenic Highway, and Scotlandville Avenue the previous Sunday, prompting temporary road closures between noon and 4 p.m., according to WBRZ. The parade drew hundreds of spectators, and this year's festivities were set to culminate with a football game against the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff on Saturday, per Wisevoter.
Security Was Already Tightened Before the Shooting
Officials had not been caught flat-footed on security going into the weekend. After earlier off-campus violence near Osprey and Kingfisher Avenues during homecoming week, local authorities and university leadership had already deployed automated license plate readers and surveillance cameras around the perimeter of Southern University and Scotlandville, WBRZ reported separately. East Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Anthony Kenney Jr., who represents Scotlandville, had also publicly urged residents and visitors ahead of the parade to observe traffic safety rules, respect private property, and cooperate with law enforcement during the festivities.
Similar concerns have surfaced elsewhere in Baton Rouge. Last October, a non-fatal shooting near Louisiana State University's campus during its own homecoming festivities injured two teenagers and sparked public calls for stronger homecoming security, as Hoodline reported at the time. Taken together, the incidents have renewed scrutiny over how Baton Rouge's two major universities manage public safety during their biggest events of the year.
Police Ask Public for Help Finding the Suspects
Kendrick Keller Jr., Jakhireyus Franklin, and Jahiem Johnson remain at large as the search continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact Greater Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867 or through the P3 Tips app, according to a post shared on Facebook.
