On the late evening of Monday, February 9, 2026, 20-year-old Caleb Carter was found with a fatal gunshot wound to the face on the second floor of a parking garage at Perkins Rowe in Baton Rouge. Deputies from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office arrived about 9:30 p.m. His friend, 20-year-old Chad Howard, remained at the scene and told deputies he had accidentally shot Carter. Howard was taken into custody there and booked on charges of negligent homicide, possession of stolen things, and obstruction of justice.

Investigators say the 9mm handgun used in the incident was thrown from the second floor after the shooting; deputies recovered it and found it had been reported stolen to the Baton Rouge Police Department. The sheriff’s office is treating the shooting as an accident. Perkins Rowe management expressed condolences to Carter’s family, said they are cooperating with investigators, and stated there is no active threat to the area. Carter’s obituary notes his recent graduation from McKinley Senior High School and certifications in HVAC and Millwright from BRCC.

Does anyone have information about Caleb’s last hours at Perkins Rowe or about the events that followed the shooting?