On the evening of April 26, 2019, 27-year-old Deldrian Cox was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds at a residence in the 1100 block of North 35th Street in Baton Rouge. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigators say the shooting grew out of a disagreement between Cox and another individual that had begun days earlier.

Within days police identified two suspects. On April 30, 2019, the Baton Rouge Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit arrested 36-year-old Ray Anthony Bell. The Louisiana State Police Fugitive Task Force arrested 28-year-old Julius Thomas Jr. on April 31, 2019. Bell was booked on second-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon; Thomas was booked as principal to second-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon. Reports say after an initial confrontation in which threats were made, Bell returned and shot Cox multiple times.

Charges against Julius Thomas Jr. were dropped in December 2021. Did anyone who knew Deldrian or witnessed the April 26 events come forward with information at the time?