Roderick Forkner, 19, a sophomore at Southern University, was killed in a drive‑by shooting on Labor Day morning. At about 3:00 a.m. he was driving with a passenger near Government Street and South Foster Drive in Baton Rouge when a dark‑colored sedan pulled alongside and occupants opened fire. Bullets struck both men and Forkner’s car crashed into a Smoothie King sign. Both were taken to a nearby hospital; Forkner died that afternoon and his passenger suffered non‑life‑threatening wounds.

The shooting was captured on video and prompted public discussion about curfews among city leaders. The Baton Rouge Police Department continued to investigate, but as of late 2025 no suspects or motive had been publicly identified and no arrests announced. If anyone has information about the shooting near Government Street and South Foster Drive that morning, please come forward.