Councilman Kenney, community advocates seek change after rise in youth shootings

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Baton Rouge has been grieving the tragic loss of several young lives this past week. The most recent tragedy involves 17-year-old Anthony Robinson, who was fatally shot on Bradfield Avenue on Monday.

According to Baton Rouge Police Department detectives, Robinson, who attended Scotlandville Magnet High School, was shot by a 16-year-old male juvenile as he was getting off the bus near his home. District 2 Councilman Anthony Kenney emphasized the sadness of the shooting, especially as a Scotlandville Magnet alumnus.

“Being an alumnus of Scotlandville Magnet High School, I used to ride the bus a lot, and so I can only imagine a mother getting a call saying their child was shot, getting off the bus right in front of his home. And so it’s very disappointing,” said Kenney.

The 16-year-old suspect is currently being held at the East Baton Rouge Juvenile Detention Center and faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and illegal use of weapons. BRPD believes the shooting may have stemmed from a prior argument between the suspect and Robinson.

Kenney emphasized the need to address the rise in the constant youth violence.

“There’s a lot of conversations we need to have, not just on a local level, but with our state and local officials with Baton Rouge Police Department, all of our local agencies,” he said. “We need to make sure we are addressing the root issues of why our youth are resorting to crime. You know, as far as conflict resolution just in general. And so we need to make sure those conversations happen throughout the community over the next couple of weeks.”

Community advocates, such as Gerald Haynes from the BR Street Team, are also calling for change and unity in the face of this issue, especially when it comes to the younger generation.

“Be more engaged with them, understand that they look at their life from a different lens that we may be looking at it from. Try to understand how to break their barrier down, to be able to explain to them and show them it is a better way,” he said.

The BR Street Team is actively working on mentorship programs to reduce youth violence. Additionally, Councilman Kenney is addressing the issue through a series of community listening sessions that will begin next Monday, he encourages all residents to participate.

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