Alonge McClain

Alonge McClain Jr., a 19-year-old Black man from Prairieville, Louisiana, was killed in a violent shootout on the evening of Thursday, August 6, 2020. The fatal encounter took place in the parking lot of an apartment complex on La Annie Drive in Baton Rouge. Police who responded to the scene described it as chaotic, suggesting a gunfight between numerous shooters that appeared to have happened during an armed robbery.

When the gunfire ended, Alonge McClain was found to have been shot multiple times. He was the sole fatality. A second person, an 18-year-old man, was also struck by gunfire during the exchange and suffered serious injuries. Investigators reported that this individual fled the scene but was later located on Harvey Drive and taken to a local hospital for medical treatment.

The investigation into Alonge's death quickly led police to identify the injured man, Lazarius Johnson, age 18, as a primary suspect. After Johnson was treated for his injuries and released from the hospital, he was taken into custody and booked into jail. He was charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, illegal use of a weapon, and carjacking.

About a month later, authorities announced a second arrest. On September 9, 2020, the Baton Rouge Police Department reported that they had arrested 18-year-old Cortez Watson in connection with the case. Watson was charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery, and illegal use of a weapon. As of September 2020, two suspects were facing charges for their alleged roles in the shooting that ended Alonge McClain's life.