On January 9, 2022, 14-year-old Dion Lee Williams, a Park Forest Middle School student described by his mother as an honor student and talented basketball player, was shot multiple times in the parking lot of the Save More Market on Lobdell Avenue in Baton Rouge. He was taken to a nearby hospital and died from his injuries.

Police identified 35-year-old Cleveland Ely as the shooter, saying Ely confronted Williams because he believed the teenager had been bullying a younger relative. Authorities say Ely admitted using an AK-47 and fired at three other people before fleeing and giving the weapon to a friend. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Williams was unarmed, contradicting Ely’s claim that the teenager had a weapon.

Ely was arrested and initially charged with first-degree murder, three counts of attempted first-degree murder, and illegal use of a weapon. He later pleaded guilty to attempted manslaughter and was sentenced to 20 years with 12 years suspended, leaving an eight-year term; he was also convicted of illegal use of a weapon and obstruction of justice. Williams’ mother said he had been in a car with 18-year-old Shawn George II; George was found shot to death less than two hours later at a different location. Did anyone who knew Dion or was in that area that afternoon see what happened?