Byron Horton, 23, was fatally shot on the night of November 20, 2025, at the La Playa/La Playa Place Apartments on Hanks Drive in Baton Rouge. Deputies were called about 9 p.m. after reports of gunfire; first responders found Horton with multiple gunshot wounds and numerous shell casings nearby and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Surveillance footage showed several people gathered near an apartment front door shortly before the shooting and captured more than one person firing near a white Honda Civic and near two apartment entrances. Detectives executed a search warrant the next day at the apartment where the shooting appeared to have started and found two men, identified as 22-year-old Darrel Thomas and 21-year-old Matalius Thomas, plus several firearms and marijuana. Witnesses later identified Darrel as the person who fired a handgun at Horton; Darrel was charged with second-degree murder and weapon offenses, and both men were booked on multiple charges.

Officials have not released a motive or named additional suspects beyond those arrested. A celebration of life for Horton was announced for early December at Hall’s Celebration Center on Scenic Highway. Does anyone have information about Byron, the apartment complex, or what led up to that night?