Melvin Smith, 36, was wounded in a shooting at a residence on Bard Avenue in Baton Rouge on August 27, 2019 when he was shot in the ankle. He spent the next weeks recovering, but complications from that injury worsened and he was taken to a local hospital on September 18, 2019. Medical staff were unable to save him and his death was later classified by the Baton Rouge Police Department as a homicide.

The Violent Crimes Unit opened an investigation into the shooting that led to Smith’s death and authorities appealed for anyone with information to contact the unit or Crime Stoppers. There have been no public announcements of arrests or identified suspects, and the investigation remains ongoing.

If anyone has information about the August 27 shooting or who was present at the Bard Avenue residence, please contact the Violent Crimes Unit or Crime Stoppers.