Leslie Blackburn, 55, was shot while walking in the 13000 block of South Choctaw Drive in Baton Rouge in the early morning of February 19, 2022. Officers found him about 2:46 a.m. with a gunshot wound to his midsection; he was taken to a hospital and later died from his injuries. Before he died Blackburn told officers a vehicle had pulled up, someone inside shot him, and then the vehicle drove off; he said there was no attempt to rob him. Investigators at the scene reported no shell casings, no weapon, and no property damage connected to the gunfire, and the initial investigation produced few leads.

On April 13, 2022, 31-year-old Anna Bartholomew was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison in connection with Blackburn’s death. Authorities have charged her with first-degree murder, armed robbery, and illegal use of a weapon and stated they believe the motive was armed robbery.

If anyone was in the area that night or saw a vehicle on South Choctaw Drive around 2:45 a.m., please come forward with information.