On the afternoon of December 26, 2018, 42-year-old Vernon Covington was shot and killed in the 5200 block of Washington Avenue near Bahm Street in Baton Rouge. The shooting occurred about 4:26 p.m.; Covington, a Black male, died at the scene. Police said he had been involved in a verbal argument with an unknown individual just before the shooting. Investigators described the shooter as an unknown Black male who fled the scene.

The Baton Rouge Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit asked the public for help identifying the person responsible. As reported, there have been no arrests or charges mentioned and the investigation appears to have stalled with no new information. If anyone has knowledge of Vernon Covington, his movements that afternoon, or the identity of the person who fled, please contact the Violent Crimes Unit.