James Harrell, 44, was fatally shot on June 2, 2025, in front of his home on David Drive in Baton Rouge. Police say the killing followed an earlier confrontation at a stoplight between Harrell, his girlfriend, and her ex-boyfriend, Andre Franklin. After the parties separated, Franklin allegedly returned to Harrell’s residence that evening and opened fire, killing Harrell at the scene around 5:30 p.m.

Detectives say Franklin then chased Harrell’s son and the girlfriend, firing at them; he is accused of catching the woman, striking her multiple times and forcing her into his vehicle at gunpoint before later releasing her. Witnesses and surveillance footage were used to identify 42-year-old Andre Franklin as the suspect.

On June 3, 2025, U.S. Marshals and Baton Rouge Police arrested Franklin. He was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping and felon in possession of a firearm. Anyone with information about Harrell, the shooting, or the events on David Drive is asked to come forward.